Dimapur, September 16 (MExN): The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (south) today demanded swift action against the rascally jawans of the 2nd Manipur Rifles who assaulted one Mathiba of Makhan village on September 14, at Makhan village.
In an angry statement today, the south NPMHR demanded immediate suspension of the Manipur Rifles personnel involved in the crime and instate an inquiry into the matter for further appropriate action. Adequate monetary compensation to the victim and his family is sought by the organization. The NPMHR also demanded a written assurance from the “responsible authority” that “atrocity of this nature will not be committed in the future.”
Narrating the turn of events of September 14, the NPMHR said that at around 2:00 PM, Mathiba, 29 years, of Makhan village was taking a walk along the National Highway 39 when a convoy of oil tankers passed through the village. “Suddenly a vehicle of the 2nd Battalion, Manipur Rifles that was on duty to provide security to the oil tanker trucks (from Mao Gate to Imphal) came from the wrong side and nearly knocked him down. Mr. Mathiba was shocked at the reckless driving style of the MR personnel,” the NPMHR said.
According to the organization he “asked the driver to be cautious and reminded him not to endanger the life of others.” This angered the driver and the other jawans and they immediately apprehended Mathiba accusing him of throwing stones at the convoy of trucks, the organization stated.
“The MR personnel (were in an inebriated state) hit him with the butt of their guns. A woman who was working in the nearby field pleaded with the jawans to stop the inhuman act but she too was abused. At last assuming that Mr. Mathiba is dead the MR personnel dumped his unconscious body beside a paddy field. He was bleeding profusely when the villagers saw him and (he) did not breathe for a long time,” the NPMHR said. He is said to have been admitted in the hospital and still in a very critical condition.
“Mr. Mathiba is a driver by profession. He has three children and is the sole bread winner of his family. Family members and villagers are concerned and worried that he might not survive. And in the event of his recovery from the seriously inflicted injury there is no hope of a complete recovery. He will not be able to normally resume his work anymore,” the NPMHR said.
