GUWAHATI, Sept 22 � A war-like situation occurred in side the RG Baruah Sports Complex this morning as players of Manipur State sepak takraw teams went on a rampage alleging that their women players were molested by electrician Phool Kanta Das in their room.
The players are taking part in the ongoing Senior National Sepak Takraw Championship at the Tarun Ram Phookan Indoor Stadium here and the women teams are accommodated in the competition venue. The Manipuri women team alleged that the electrician along with another person, entered their room in the wee hours and tried to take their photographs on mobile phones and attempted to molest them.
The players roughed up Das who was subsequently arrested by police. The players also damaged a police vehicle and assaulted security personnel on duty. Players wearing Assam jersey were also seen on the spot. A Manipuri player, Tombi Sanu got injured during the incident.
Later the players went on a rampage damaging the stadium and locked the stadium complex gates. They even prevented sportspersons of other events and residents of the stadium complex to come in or go out. Finally, cricket players led by Assam Cricket Association secretary Bikash Baruah and GB member Imdad Hussain managed to break through into the stadium.
City SSP Pradeep Saloi, Director of Sports Sanjeeb Gohain Baruah, Joint Director Rajib Prakash Baruah along with other police officers and security personnel rushed to the stadium and managed to control the situation.
When asked why the players took the law in their hands in spite of the culprit being in police hands, Manipur Sepak Takraw Association secretary H Brajabidhu declined to reply but said they will take part in the remaining matches.
Assam Sepak Takraw Association president Sarat Borkotoky sought an apology for the incident and said there were no lapses in security arrangements. Secretary Bishnu Ram Nunisa said everything is settled and they will repair the damage that took place in the indoor stadium.
When contacted, the electrician said he was totally unaware about the incident. He said he went to bed after completing his duty and at around 6 am a group of people, mostly women, came to his room and started beating him up for reasons best known to them.
Manipur, SSB champs: Manipur women won the team event defeating Nagaland 2-1 (22-20, 16-21, 15-7), while in the men�s team event, SSB beat Assam 2-0 (21-11, 25-23). In the men�s regu event, Manipur clinched the title defeating SSB 2-0 (21-11, 21-14).
In the closing function, State Minister Gautam Roy was the chief guest.
