Villagers caught between militants and the army

Itanagar, July 6 (UNI) Hapless villagers of Namsai sub-division of Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh have today appealed to the ULFA militants to quit Manabhum Forest Reserve and spare them from their wrath as well as that of the army engaged in anti-insurgency operation.

Recent killing of two local youths by suspected ULFA militants and their forceful as porters on one hand and on the other hand, army suspecting them as ULFA sympathisers and reported torturing have left the villagers nowehere.

It had resulted in tension, which may snowball into a major conflict, sources in the district informed on condition of anonymity.

While the increasing activities of suspected ULFA militants in Nangtaw Khamti, Bamsuk, Wingko, Chesing Winko, Nangtaw Winseng and Nangtaw villages under Piyong circle of Namsai sub-division had caused widespread apprehension, the killing of Chow Ketong Kamthong, 27 and Chow Samet Longkan, 25, both of Nangtaw Khamti village, on June 18 and 29 last respectively had set the alarm bell ringing.

According to police investigation, the duo had gone to Manabhum Forest Reserve on June 16 last in search of timber and accidentally reached an ULFA hideout and was caught by the militants and released after keeping their records.

Coincidentally, 19 Kumaon Regiment busted the hideout the same night and ULFA suspected them to be informers.

Consequently, Kamthong was killed on June 18.

However, Namsai Police after registering a case, had arrested Chow Asoi Manchey of Nangtaw Khamti village on June 22, suspecting his involvement in the incident.

It alerted Longkan, who came to Namsai for safety but he left for his village on June 27 without consulting anyone and was shot dead on June 29, the sources informed.

While on many occasions, the ULFA cadres use them as porters and force many families to provide food, of course on payment in most cases, but the army suspects them as ULFA sympathizers.

Similarly, when the army conducts raids on hideouts, the ULFA doubts the locals as informers.

The poor and innocent villagers are also victims of intimidation by the army as reportedly the army personnel camping in Jona-I village use the locals as labourers and take bamboo without payment.

Moreover, six army personnel with the SULFA cadres had entered the Rongalee Beel, Lekang Gohain Gaon and Rajabeel villages of Lekang circle around 0400 hours on July 2 and allegedly tortured the villagers indiscriminately wounding many of them.

A complaint was lodged yesterday in this regard with Lekang extra assistant commissioner (EAC) by a group of about 200 women of the area.

The local people, public leaders, socio-cultural organizations and NGOs are expressing strong resentment against ULFA and the army.

The masses are of the opinion that they were victimised by the army because of the ULFA's presence in the area, while ULFA instead of being grateful had started targetting them.

The villagers were unanimous that they would live in peace, if the underground elements leave the area, the sources added.

UNI