DIMAPUR, AUGUST 12 (MExN): The Mao students Union (MSU) has strongly warned the Manipur-based Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) against harassing the Mao public and affirmed that the students would not remain a silent spectator if the harassment continues.
In a press issued by L.Daihrii, Publicity Secretary, the MSU said that the IRB from Manipur who have been detailed for escort duty of good-laden trucks in the wake of the ANSAM economic blockade, have been carrying out with impunity extremely provocative actions on the general public of the Tadubi and Mao Gate area.
According to the release, the escort personnel were harassing the Mao public in various ways, provoking the general public even while on duty in full uniform and arms.
The MSU cited an instance that on August 3, an IRB team from Manipur escorting a convoy of Imphal-bound trucks, forcibly took away motor-parts and siphoned off fuel from 2 motorcycles at Mao Gate. As they proceeded towards Imphal, they stopped at Vani, which is located about 1 Kms from Tadubi Township. There broke into 2 tyre workshops located along the National Highway and took away equipments and vehicular-instruments.
It further stated that there have also been confirmed reports that in earlier instances during their escorting duties, the IRB had looted vegetable stalls at Mao Gate at night and seized bags of potatoes, cabbages and other vegetables. Firewood and other items were also lifted from houses along the highway, it added.
In the wake of these random actions the students body, while strongly condemning “such thievery particularly from uniformed personnel” said that the 8thJuly savagery perpetrated at Senapati district HQ by the IRB were being re-enacted routinely by the IRB.
“We are therefore constrained to state that the Mao Students’ Union will not remain mere silent spectators and will take up our own course of action if such obnoxious actions are not discontinued by the IRB” It warned.
