Two former insurgents who had come over ground along with others after signing the suspension of operation, another nomenclature of ceasefire with the union government, were pulled up by villagers at Yairipok in Imphal east district for extorting illegal taxes and allegedly misbehaving with a girl on Sunday. They were handed over to the police station at Yairipok. Police have registered a case against them. Local NGOs and women activists were against their release. There is no immediate comment from Home Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei although what they had done is in flagrant violation of the ground rules of ceasefire.
Talking to reporters on Sunday Iboyaima Khoirom, secretary of Laikhong Youth Club said that the two former insurgents have been identified as Gambhir of Kangleipak Communist Party, Lallumba group and Dinesh Hijam of Military Defence Force. They are lodged along with other former insurgents in the Assam Rifles camps at Nongdam and Yaingangpokpi respectively. Khoirom said that both of them were under the influence of liquor when villagers overpowered them. The villagers held them captive when they were seen misbehaving with a girl in the village road.
On interrogation these two former insurgents who were armed with a hand gun had reportedly told the local club that on October 2 they had extorted about Rs.14,000 and mobile handset from two truck drivers and a labourer. One of the driver was threatened to pay up Rs 5 lakh as ‘tax’. One forester identified as Raghumani had to pay Rs 10,000. During the interrogation by the club members they reportedly said that they were in search of insurgents of Corcom. They further said that the truck drivers were supplying rice and other consumer items to these insurgents.
There had been instances of police arresting some signatories to suspension of operations for extortions. Home Minister Gangmei said that if the ground rules are violated drastic actions would be taken up. However it is alleged that almost all cases had been hushed up.
Meanwhile three masked youths looted a family at Thangmeiband in Imphal on Sunday night. The gun wielding youths escaped with cash and gold ornaments.
Police have registered a case.
