IT News
Imphal, June 24:
In a distressing incident that could have resulted in tragedy, two women narrowly escaped a violent mob attack in the Sabungkhok area of Imphal East district on Friday. The victims were detained and subjected to assault based on suspicions that they were informers for a particular community accused of targeting residents in the foothills of Sabungkhok and Yaingangpokpi.
Coming to the rescue in the nick of time, state PHED Minister Leishangthem Susindro Meitei, intervened to protect the women from an imminent lynching. Mr. Susindro had been assessing the ongoing conflict in the nearby areas of Sabungkhok and Yaingangpokpi when the incident unfolded.
One of the victims, Sorokhaibam Ongbi Geeta Devi, who also serves as the Secretary of the Khurai Mothers’ Association, bravely recounted her harrowing ordeal and expressed gratitude to Mr. Susindro for saving their lives. During a press conference held at the Manipur Press Club today, Geeta tearfully stated, “If it hadn’t been for MLA Susindro’s timely intervention, clarifying my identity and preventing the mob’s lynching, I wouldn’t be alive. Without him, you would be looking at my lifeless body.”
Detailing how she found herself caught up in the incident, Geeta explained, “Some members of our association and I went to the Sabungkhok area in response to an invitation, as there had been a conflict and security forces had blocked the road to Yaingangpokpi.” She further revealed that the incident was linked to a person previously apprehended by the Sabungkhok mob, whom Geeta had recently met during a protest held in Khurai in relation to the assault on 29 Meira Paibis by security personnel in the Lilong area.
Geeta shared that the woman recognized her and forcibly grabbed her hand. “As I originally hail from Tejpur and am married and residing in Khurai, most people in the area know me. That’s why I clearly identified myself to the mob. Some people advised me to stay silent since I hadn’t been present before,” she recounted.
“The situation quickly spiraled out of control, and we were taken into a club. The mob barricaded the door, some brandished weapons, and others attempted to strangle me. I prayed to God for my survival,” Geeta narrated, expressing her gratitude to the individuals who tried to rescue her.
“I consider myself extremely fortunate that Minister MLA Susindro was in the vicinity. He arrived at the scene and rescued me. If it weren’t for him, instead of speaking to you today, you would be witnessing my lifeless body. He saved me. I hold no anger towards the mob; they were driven by circumstances and misinformation. Let us unite, cooperate, and avoid falling into the trap of falsehoods,” Geeta urged, appealing to the public.
Addressing the matter, L Susindro Meitei, Minister of Public Health Engineering and Consumer Affairs, clarified that he went to the Sabungkhok area upon learning that a mob had captured and assaulted two individuals suspected of being informers from a specific community.
“The mob detained them based on the suspicion that they exchanged messages with members of other communities. However, upon my request, the local club members handed over the mobile phones, and the messages were examined and verified by the Additional SP and a representative of COCOMI,” Minister Susindro added.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accurate information and community solidarity during times of conflict. The swift action of MLA Susindro undoubtedly saved the lives of the two innocent women, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.