Manipur Police have debunked the reports of the rescue of 75 women by the Indian Army on the night of May 16 circulating in various media forums as untrue.
The actual incident as submitted by the officer in charge Nambol Police Station to the authorities is that Meira Paibis of Leimaram Waroiching and nearby villagers were protesting against the withdrawal of 5/9 Gorkha Regiment from Waroiching since the morning of May 13, stated a clarification.
However, on May 16 around 5 pm to 7 pm, the villagers withdrew their protest and were dispersed to a safe area of their villages on mutual understanding, it stated.
Around 10 pm on the same day, while a combined team of District Police were conducting round checking at Ichum Kom Police post, some unknown armed miscreants fired three rounds from Waroiching hill area (Kuki village) towards valley side, it mentioned.
It stated that after about 10 minutes, another seven-eight rounds were fired from the Agijang Hill side towards the valley. In that, police personnel deployed at Ichum Kom Junction retaliated by firing three rounds towards the hill, it said.
Around 10.30 pm of the day, a team of 5/9 GR led by one major, post commander, Waroiching reached the Ichum Kom Junction. The team was later joined by CO 5/9 GR and CO 33 AR, it stated.
The GR personnel, after confirming the presence of some armed miscreants numbering around 5/6 at Agijang hill area (Kuki village), fired about 15 rounds of Para illumination mortars towards the hill side, it mentioned. It further stated that the GR team deployed at Irengbam Awang Leikai IRB post also retaliated by firing some rounds.
The situation was brought under control by the combined team effort of 5/9 GR, 33 AR and District police. However, there were no such reports of 75 women being rescued on that day as they had been dispersed before the incident took place, it added.
