IMPHAL August 22: The Southern Tangkhul Students’ Union has strongly condemned the atrocity of police meted out against three villagers of Yaingangpokpi, one among them is a woman with a five month old child who was apprehended on having links with an underground outfit.
Addressing a press meet in the regard, president of the union Simthar Jajo said that one Leishiwon,32,wife of M Chon of New Cannan, Yaingnagpokpi along with two other persons have been brutalized by the police. He said that Leishiwon along with H Surrender,45 of Yaingangpokpi and C Chihansing,22,of Nungshong villag, Ukhrul district were collecting plants for farm animals near Telepati suspension bridge on August 19.
At around 3.42 pm, the trio were taking shelter in the nearby area due to a sudden downpour. Leishiwon was sheltering near the badminton court near by Khurai Lamlong Bridge. As the weather became clear, she was proceeding towards the IRB gate along Dinku road. There she was informed by her companion H Surrender that the police had apprehended C Chihansing. As they were discussing about the incident, a police team who came in a van swooped on them and later took them into custody.
They were also asked to be identified by athletes who were present inside the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex. As the athletes denied knowledge, the duo were blindedfolded and taken to a place where they were interrogated and tortured.
Leishiwon said that there was one police personnel in uniform and two other persons in civvies, who arrested them.
They were later taken to a police station quarters and brutally beaten up. Leishiwon said, “One male police officer with two stars severely tortured me, there were also three women police. The male officer beat me in the feet. I was badly beaten up”, she said.
Her other two companions were also beaten up from 7.30 pm till 11 pm. She said that she was questioned on having links with the NSCN (IM) and to own up that she undertook bomb making techniques.
Due to her deteriorating condition, she was given bail by the court the following day but her two companions are still in police custody, she said.
In the regard, the Southern Tangkhul Students’Union while condemning the police atrocity demands that the remaining two persons be freed at the earliest. The union further demanded that the responsible police officers involved should be given punishment otherwise agitations will be launched by the body.
Leishiwon bore injury marks all over her body and was hardly able to speak at the press conference held at press club today. She was escorted by villagers of Yaingangpokpi village and could hardly walk.