500 villagers in Rangiya tortured by securitymen

RANGIYA, September 2: Tension prevailed in Rangiya and its neighbourhood following the physical torture meted out to about 500 people of Batahkuchi, Bichennala, Kothra, Jamtola, Gariakoth, Tokonkata and Hairandab, villages under Rangiya circle by the Army and the police during a joint operation early this morning. The operation, led by the Rangiya subdivisional police officer, Mahesh Sarma, was launched by the Army and the police in those villages as a sequel to the United Liberation Front of Asom's gunning down of two masons at Hairandab on August 29 last. The ULFA action came in retaliation to the killing of three ULFA activists by the security forces in an encounter on August 27 last at Hairandab. It was alleged that the villagers were made to flock on the bank of the Nona river at around 3 am today and tortured physically. Majority of the people belonged to the age group of 50- 65 years. Of those tortured, 19 have been picked up by the police for interrogation and had not been released till late evening. The villagers also alleged that the security forces fired several rounds into the air during the operation.