Border villages, CSOs say no to police outposts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2022: Chiefs of several villages in the border district of Tengnoupal and organisations including the Hill Tribal Council, Moreh have vehemently opposed the Government proposal for setting up police stations and outposts in border areas.

Two separate statements issued by the chiefs of villages of border areas and several organisations including the Kuki Chiefs' Association and Hill Tribal Council, Moreh said they see no need for new and additional police stations and outposts in the border villages and the Government should withdraw its proposal.

A joint meeting of the chiefs of "affected" villages with Kuki Chiefs' Association Tengnoupal district, Kuki Chiefs' Association Moreh Block, Tamil San-gam Moreh, Hill Tribal Council Moreh and Manipur Muslim Council Moreh was held today and they collectively decided to oppose the proposal to set up police stations and outposts in the border villages, they said.

The civil bodies including the KCA and HTC said the chiefs of the villages concerned have expressed their unwillingness and appealed against establishment of police stations and outposts in their villages.

The existing security arrangement along the border manned by the Assam Rifles is dependable and satisfactory.

So the need for additional security outposts does not arise, they said.

If the Government feels the need for additional security forces in addition to the existing security arrangement, it would be more prudent and judicious to deploy BSF (Border Security Forces) in conformity with the relevant Article of the Constitution, they added.

Asking the Government to understand and consider the sentiment of its people, the civil bodies appealed for withdrawal of the proposal to install police stations and outposts in the border villages.

Similarly, the chiefs of border villages in their statement also reiterated that they are against the proposal and they would "oppose it tooth and nail" .

The villages have full faith and confidence in the existing security forces.

On the contrary, they are apprehensive of the proposed deployment of State security forces, the chiefs said.

The villages include Haolenphai, T Bongmol, Chonjang, Motha, J Munnomjang, Govajang and B Bongjang.

"Even if the Government attempts to exert pressure on us particularly through our tribal representatives in the State Assembly to convince us, we will not step back from our stand not to allow establishment of police stations and outposts in our villages," they said.

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