Residents beaten up during raids by security personnel in Manipur

Imphal, June 13: Security personnel, believed to be Assam Rifles troops, seriously beat up several civilians, including a woman, during search operations in the early hours today at Thangmeiband Khoyathong Thingen Maru. According to local sources, several security personnel in combat fatigues forced their way into the house of one Naorem Andrin, 30, at Thangmeiband Polem Liekai and made a thorough search of the house. They also thrashed Andrin, and demanded that he produce the hidden UGs. The same security personnel later entered the house of one Sagolshem Inaocha Singh of the same locality and beat up his two sons after dragging them from their beds. The family has also charged that while searching the house the security personnel took away a gold chain from an almirah. Thereafter, the security men came to the house of one Khomdram Joy of Thangmeiband Polem Leikai, and searched the house. They also beat up his wife and their 18 years old son. It is also claimed that a sum of Rs 500 was taken away by the security personnel. Apart from this, the security forces entered several other houses in the Thangmeiband area and made a thorough search. However, no one was picked up. The local clubs and meira paibi organizations of the area held a joint meeting this afternoon at Thangmeiband Thingel Maru and decided to submit a memorandum to the chief minister to prevent further harassment to the innocent public of the area. In the meantime, Assam Rifles officials, when contacted, said they were not aware of any such incident.