The Rengma Students’ Union (RSU) has strongly condemned the alleged assault, harassment and extortion of two youths from the Rengma community in Manipur, and demanded swift action against those responsible. In a statement, the Union said the victims, residents of Phenda village in Nagaland’s Tseminyu district, were engaged in small-scale trade of agricultural produce, including yongchak, and were travelling to Imphal on the night of March 22. According to the RSU, the incident took place in the early hours of March 23 when the youths were intercepted by unidentified individuals between Keithelmanbi and Sapermeina under Kangpokpi district of Manipur.
The Union alleged that the victims were forcibly taken to an unknown location, where they were illegally detained, threatened and physically assaulted. It further claimed that the attackers demanded a large sum of money and, when the youths failed to pay, continued the harassment and later robbed them of cash and a mobile phone. Describing the incident as “cowardly and inhumane”, the RSU said such acts pose a serious threat to the safety and dignity of its community members. It also expressed concern that incidents like these could affect the livelihood of many youths who depend on small-scale trading activities for survival.
The Union has called for the immediate identification and arrest of the accused and urged law enforcement agencies to conduct a fair and time-bound investigation. It also appealed to the authorities to ensure the safety of civilians, especially traders and daily wage earners who regularly travel along the route connecting Nagaland and Manipur.
