Once again, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been caught on the wrong foot – this time, for allegedly assaulting three volunteers of a relief camp in Khangabok under Thoubal district on Wednesday around 8.30 pm.
According to sources, RAF personnel deployed at the 3rd IRB battalion in Khangabok following the intense clash on Tuesday brutally assaulted three volunteers of a relief camp opened at Rice Research Station Khangabok complex in Thoubal district on Thursday night.
The incident occurred around 8.30 pm, the sources said.
Following the intense clash at the area on Tuesday wherein a civilian was reportedly shot dead, additional RAPF forces had been deployed in the battalion to help secure the area.
ALSO READ: Women protesters slam RAF over assault on unarmed civilians
As per the sources, the RAF personnel assaulted volunteers of the relief camp opened at Rice Research Station Khangabok complex just in front of the IRB battalion.
The volunteers have been identified as 22-year-old Khundrakpam Naresh, son of Budha of Khangabok Khullakpam Leikai, Moirangthem; 26-year-old Moirangthem Prabin, son of Inaobi of Khangabok Awang Leikai and 25-year-old Khundrakpam Roshan of Khangabok Moirang Palli Leikai.
They were taken to Thoubal district hospital but were later referred to RIMS, the sources added.
The sources further said that they were assaulted by the RAP personnel without any valid reason on their way back to the relief centre after dropping off three women volunteers of the centre. Later, they were rescued by the IRB personnels of the battalion.
It may be noted that this is not the first time the RAF personnel have been caught in controversy since the beginning of the ethnic clash in the state.
On May 27 this year, three personnel of the RAF on duty were arrested and then suspended with immediate effect for trying to burn down a meat shop at Dimdailong, New Checkon in Imphal East the night before (May 26).
ALSO READ: Two houses, one shop burned amid fresh violence in Imphal
Then again, RAF personnel went on a rampage vandalising vehicles parked alongside the Trans-Asian Highway during the wee hours of June 13 at around 2.20 am. In the CCTV footage, they were seen using stones and canes to damage as many as 12 four wheelers parked along the western side of the road, while also shattering windows of houses in Yaiskul Yumnam Leikai, Imphal West.
Reportedly, unarmed and innocent civilians were arrested and assaulted by the RAF personnel on June 16 leading to wide protest and on June 17, AMWJU general secretary Athokpam Jiten from Koirou, Thongju and Games and Sports Secretary Moirangthem Khagemba Meetei from Kyamgei Maning Leikai were allegedly assaulted by a RAF team near Singjamei Police Station at Kakwa.
ALSO READ: Manipur Unrest: Rapid Action Force personnel go on rampage, vandalise vehicles in Imphal West
