Demand raised to absorb SPO to State force
Heirok rally says no to constituting SPO
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 18: In yet another development on the unending twist concerning setting up of Special Police Officers' post in Heirok, people in large number today took out a public rally demanding absorbing the SPOs to State forces and voicing opposition to establishment of SPOs.

A meeting held at the end of the demonstration rally resolved to approach State authorities to relentlessly pursue its objective for absorption of SPO recruits/personnel as members of State forces, revocation of the prohibition imposed upon people of Heirok by Ug groups, immediate and permanent cessation of senseless violence or targeting of innocent civilians and to urge the Government to translate into action aspirations and expectations of the people.

Womenfolk of Heirok taking out a rally to demand the absorption of SPO to State force

The protest demonstration assumes significance in the backdrop of 300 youths from within Heirok Assembly Constituency had undergone preliminary physical efficiency test and currently undergoing basic training course on use of arms and related exercises for setting up of SPOs.

The demonstration staged today to highlight proposal of Heirok people for transformation of the recruitment exercise as rigours for enrolment into state forces comes in the backdrop of two outlawed organisations (KYKL/UNLF) prohibiting Heirok people from venturing out of their locales for daring to stand against and oppose the armed movement being waged by underground organisations including the two.

It is worth mentioning that a reported comment by the State DGP on possibility of the SPOs being utilised in counter insurgency operation had evoked strong reaction from various circles including the Heirok JAC that had been spearheading the cause for self protection of people of Heirok.

Following indiscriminate firing by armed activists belonging to the PREPAK organisation at a thabal chongba venue in March this year that claimed three persons on the spot and visually impairing a teenage girl, people of Heirok raised in unison and demanded that State Government provide them arms to protect themselves which the State authorities responded with the decision to set up SPOs.

Confiding that people of Heirok wants peace and do not intent to trigger animosity with anybody or organisations, president of Nupi Khunai Apunba (Heirok) Khundongbam (O) Gunamani Leima contended that Heirok residents are against the idea of setting up the SPOs particularly after militants have begun to train guns toward them.

The demonstration jointly organised by the Lup, Senior Citizens' Forum (Heirok) and the JAC formed after the March firing incident began in the afternoon with several cultivators joining the same after tending to their fields as it is the season of paddy plantation.

The rally that commenced from Heirok Part-II Pologround covered Litan makhong, Bamon Leikai, Wapokpi , Heituppokpi, kabow Leikai, Heirok Pt-I and back to the starting point where a public meeting was organised.

During the rally the participants carried and displayed placards that opposed setting up of the SPOs, proposing transformation of the SPOs into State forces, flaying civilians being targeted, called for peace and sanity in Heirok areas, existence of meaningful/purposeful revolutionary groups as well as urging the Government to abandon alleged divisive policy.

An apparently agitated rallyist remarked that setting up SPOs do not serve any purpose as such a step had become a stumbling block in their children's education apart from the parents having to bear financial losses for advance payment of education related fees.

With reference to the 10 day relaxation announced by the UG groups, Gunileima appreciated the gesture and fervently appealed for permanent revocation of the prohibitory proclamation.

President of the Heirok-based women's body also conveyed that people of Heirok desire to live in a secure and normal environment as everybody else.