Ukhrul rallies against commando/IRB deployment
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 25 2009: Thousands of people today took out a protest rally at Ukhrul district Hqs demanding revocation of the Cabinet decision to deploy commando and IRB personnel in hill districts.

The protest rally organised jointly by several Tangkhul civil organisations started from two points at Kharasom junction and Tungrei junction before converging at Tangkhul Naga Long ground.

In the course of the rally, the protesters led by leaders of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL) and Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) chanted slogans like "We want peace, go back commando/IRB", "Revoke Cabinet decision immediately" etc.

Voice Of Dissent Against Commandos And IRB Ukhrul district Hqs

They also used placards which read as "Stop using IRB/Cdo to kill innocent civilians", "Stop State sponsored terrorism in the hill districts", "We don't want indisciplined armed forces", "There is no law and order problem in hill districts", "Hill districts of Manipur are land of peace", "O Ibobi Govt, don't disturb peace", "Repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act" etc.

After converging at TNL ground, a public meeting was also organised there.

Many speakers addressing the meeting opined that there was adequate strength of MR and AR personnel in hill districts.

They asserted that the Cabinet decision to deploy commando and IRB personnel in hill districts was against the wish of the people.

Demanding that the Government should respect the lives of civilians, they asserted that deployment of commandos and IRB would not bring any solution.

In case the Govt goes ahead with its decision, it should bear sole responsibility for any untoward incident resulting thereof.

Reiterating their demand for immediate revocation of the Cabinet decision, the speakers expressed their strong disapproval against setting up designated camps for armed cadres belonging to groups under SoO pact in Naga inhabited areas.

They also demanded review of SoO ground rules.

The memorandum signed by TNL vice-president Yangmaso Raising, TMNL president Zanyo Varam, TKS president Wungnaoshang Shimray and TSL president AS Dinah asserted that the true sense of the term 'law and order' as propounded by the State Cabinet as the basis for deployment of IRB and commandos was devoid of any rationality.

"The low morality, integrity and indiscipline of IRBs and commandos in the State shows that they are indeed a loose force let loose by the Government to create situation so as to impose more Act and Laws and militarise this otherwise peaceful land inhabited by peace loving tribals".

"Going by the past records, they are noting but a Government branded goondas or gangs to harass, exploit and terrorise the ignorant, innocent population", it mentioned.

After the meeting, the protesters numbering thousands went to Ukhrul DC office and submitted a memorandum for further conveyance to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the Chief Minister, the Governor, the Outer MP and MLAs.

Some leaders of Tangkhul civil organisations claimed that today's protest rally was the largest protest rally ever taken out at Ukhrul district Hqs on myriad issues.

All shops and commercial establishments of Ukhrul Bazar remained shut during the rally and meeting.

There was no vehicular traffic on the roads.