Sit-in staged opposing late night house checks by Central paramilitary forces at Andro
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, May 21 2023:
Nungbrang Apunba Meira Paibi alongwith local clubs staged a sit-in protest today at Nungbrang Awang Leikai Lairembi market shed under Andro Assembly Constituency strongly objecting to Central Paramilitary forces carrying out night time checks of houses.
According to the locals, the checks are being carried out at a time when villagers have only recently returned home after fleeing to emergency relief camps at Yairipok Yambem, Top-Chingtha and Laimanai due to the communal flare-up.
Thus, the protestors called upon the State Government to monitor the issue and deploy more State forces.
Speaking by the sideline of the protest, Sadokpam Sunita Leima, secretary, Nungbrang Apunba Meira Paibi shared that some locals of Nungbrang village had recently returned to the village after the unrest had simmered down.
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Expressing strong opposition to central paramilitary forces conducting late night checks on the houses in the village, she questioned if the forces were working in collusion with the Kuki militants.
She shared that the men of Nungbrang still guard the village day in and day out while the women stand guard over the men with their torches late into the night.
Recounting a recent instance whereby shots were fired from a neighbouring Kuki village, she added that this has heightened the villagers worries.
While saying that the deployment of State forces by Andro AC MLA Th Shyamkumar had somewhat improved the situation, she appealed to the State Government to deploy more State forces to better monitor the situation.
Kh Indrajit, former secretary of Nungbrang Thumkhong Lairembi Youth Club asserted that Nungbrang villagers had resorted to staying up nights and standing guard in a bid to deal with the "intimidating" checks carried out by the Central paramilitary forces.
Stating that the villagers are facing many hardships as a result, he added that some are afflicted with illnesses due to poor mental state, irregular eating habits and so on.
Thus, he urged the State Government to conduct a medial camp in the area.
The protestors held many placards with messages such as "Indian Army stop intimidating people", "Disqualify the ten Kuki MLAs", "No to extension of SoO pact" and "We want peaceful existence" among others.