Drawing attention to the November 11 news item “tension at Manipur-Nagaland border over alleged abduction, the Jessami village council (JVC), under Ukhrul district of Manipur Tuesday alleged that six peasants of Jessami were abducted by a mob from Meluri village with assistance of village guards.
JVC chairman W.Ayete, refuted claims of Meluri village that the six were taken for interrogation for encroachment.
Ayete pointed out that the land in question – Tevuno- referred to as Murosou, belonged to the people of Jessami. He said the mob from Meluri village had abducted the six “to serve the purpose of their dirty interest.”
JVC claimed that the land was around 5-6 km away from Jessami and around 26 km from Meluri and around 8 km from Tizu river, the state boundary, towards Jessami village. JVC said the land, some 126 to 127 km away from Kohima, fell between Jessami and Lanyi, a village in the west of Jessa, and not between Meluri and Jessami as claimed by MVC.
JVC also alleged that the six were forced to sign and that they were assaulted as indicated by bruises that were evident and seen by police of both states when they were released. JVC said the six were forced to sign a confessional statement by the mob and village guards.
“In such a situation, anybody to save their dear life would say or sign anything,” claimed Ayete, adding such confession was “unjustified.”
Ayete also dismissed charges that the six were smuggling alcohol as they had no idea about it nor whom the IMFL belonged to.
JVC also claimed that people from Meluri often cross over to Jessam land and abduct poor peasants and forcibly obtain signatures under threat.
Asserting that people of Jessami looked forward to “amicable solution” and has not retaliated in a strong manner, the JVC, however, said there was a limit for everything.