Imphal, February 16 : In another event in Mapithel dam’s troubled history, seven persons from Louphong village in Manipur are reported to have been picked up by a combined force of Assam Rifles and IRB.
The persons’ whereabouts remain unknown ever since they were taken away on February 13 and the 14th.
It is reported that the persons were brutally assaulted by the security forces before being taken away.
As per reports, there was a firing encounter on February 13 in the vicinity of the dam’s site between some unidentified gunmen believed to be of an armed organization and Indian Reserved Battalion.
Following the firing incident, the area has been cordoned off by the armed forces and intensive search operations are being carried out in the region.
According to reliable sources, curfew has been imposed in the entire area while villagers were grouped together and disallowed from venturing out of the village.
The area falls under Litan police station. However, the police station in concern denied having any knowledge about the information on the missing persons.
Among the missing persons, S. Ngathingkhui, 53, son of one Late. S. Sathengba was picked up on February 3, while the rest were picked up in the morning of 14 February.
Residents of Mapithel Dam (Thoubal multipurpose dam) are experiencing relentless hardships ever since their land was heavily militarised. Mention may be made here that on November 3, last year women protestors peacefully agitating the dam construction, were severely assaulted by Manipur Police and IR.
The missing persons are S Baner, 23 son of S.Ramthar; Kh. Thotmathing, 23, son of Kh. Samphang; S. Mathew, 48, son of Late. S Lungteiba; Kh. David, 52, son of Late Kh. Punaoleng; Kh. Vareimi, 25, son of Putting; KS Vareshim, 28, son of Ks. Asph and S. Nagthingkhui, 53, son of Late. S. Sathengba.
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