UCM & CORE condemn torture of villagers by AR troops in Manipur

Imphal, Oct 4 (UNI) The United Committee Manipur(UCM) and the Centre for Organisation Research and Education(CORE) today condemned the alleged mass torture of villagers by Assam Rifles(AR) personnel on September 30 at Umathel village in Thoubai district of the state.

''Such acts violate acceptable norms of conduct as human beings and responsible agents of a democratic government,'' a release by the organisation have stated.

The PRO of Assam Rifles had informed that AR authorities were enquiring into the matter and that a jawan had also died in an encounter with the cadres of People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak(PREPAK) in the area.

The incident, which occurred between the night of September 30 and early next morning, was a misfortune with troops being emotionally charged over the loss of one jawan, the PRO explained.

The UCM and CORE have said that the Assam Rifles, which had been promoting themselves as 'Friends of Northeast region', had been stationed in Manipur on an invitation by Manipur Government to assist in the maintenance of law and order.

''The reported behaviour of the personnel of 21 AR goes beyond the established regulations and Supreme Court's guidelines of Do's and Don'ts during armed operations and other international laws which Indian government had committed to respect in deed and true spirit,'' the organisations reiterated.

UNI