EMN
Dimapur, October 19
A students’ organization representing the Zeliangrong community has alleged “high handedness” by security forces ‘particularly army and paramilitary forces operating in Zeliangrong areas.’ The allegations that the organization, the All Zeliangrong Students’ Union, alleged included ‘detention of innocent persons’ and ‘harassment, physically torture.’ The union issued a press release today alleging that the security forces operating in Zeliangrong areas have “gone beyond its limitation” and that the army has ‘taken law into their own hands.’ “Keeping any persons in the army custody without handing over to nearest police station within 24hrs, not giving arrest memo whenever any persons is arrested or informing their respective family members regarding any arrest is total violation of law,” the union stated in the press release. No specifics were given. “The illegal activities of army and para-military should be reigned and stopped at the earliest by the Govt. or else the people would start widespread protest to register their objection to these kinds of disturbances caused by the security forces donning security forces.”
The union said that the peaceful environment of the Zeliangrong areas” has been “transformed into disturb zone by the security forces illegal activities by now and then.” The students alleged that ‘innocent persons’ are being detained without informing the police. Such activities are “an attempt for elimination”, the Zeliangrong organization stated. Objecting to the alleged abuse, the students have demanded “immediate attention of the state chief minister who is the Unified Commander for all the security forces operating in Manipur is drawn.” The press release was appended by Pamei Tingenlung, the union’s president.
