AR denies committing atrocities after blast

Imphal, March 25: The Assam Rifles has strongly denied reports of harassment and assault of civilians in the areas of Khabam Lamkhai and Luwangsangbam in the wake of the March 21 bomb attach in which one AR personnel was killed and four injured. A statement issued by the Assam Rifles claimed that AR troops exercised extreme caution and restrain inspite of suffering casualties in the IED blast. It said the credentials of a few of the students of Liberal College were checked without causing any harassment since the locals confirmed of two boys moving under suspicious circumstances in the vicinity of the college just before the IED blast. It added that seen suspects had been picked up for investigation, among which L Chittaranjan, a student was released immediately when it was known that he was to appear for an examination. The other six persons have been handed over to the meira paibis of Luwangsangbam after question in healthy condition, the statement further said. It said the report of six persons being admitted in RIMS hospital is incorrect, adding that the RIMS authorities have denied that any such admissions had taken place. The statement also categorically denied that AR troops had invaded the home of MLA N Biren, as had been reported in the media. It maintained that during the conduct of follow-up operations, elders and women were treated with respect and all efforts were made to avoid inconvenience to the public. The AR statement also requested all youth organizations, village elders and meira paibi groups to ensure that their villages and adjacent areas are not used by the underground for activities against the security forces.