Demand raised for state forces in sensitive areas
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 24 2023: While accusing central forces deployed in the state to contain the restive situation of remaining as silent spectators when Kuki militants attack and torch houses belonging to Meetei community right in their presence, large number of womenfolk stormed office of the deputy commissioner (DC), Bishnupur on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum demanding deployment of state forces instead of central person-nel in sensitive areas.

A large number of Bishnupur denizens along with women of Tronglaobi village affected and displaced by the communal violence gathered near the DC's office to submit the memo-randum.

Demand raised for state forces in sensitive areas

As police personnel stationed at the office tried to prevent the people from enter-ing the office heavy exchange of heated words ensued between the two sides.

However, some represen-tatives of the protestors were allowed to meet the DC and submit the memorandum later.

After meeting the DC, Apun-ba Nupi Lup (ANUL) Bishnupur president Lourembam Pramo told media persons that the gov-ernment is unable to take any action in-spite of Kuki militants repeatedly attacking innocent civilians.

It is not the time for those in the government to remain in power when inno-cent civilians lose their lives in attacks by Kuki militants, she said, adding that CM, ministers and MLAs should resign if they are unable to defend the land.

Asking if central forces de-ployed in the state since out-break of communal violence are to kill and completely eliminate the Meetei community, the ANUL president said state forc-es must be deployed to protect the Meetei community and the CM must hand over adminis-tration to the people if unable to defend the state.

A woman affected by com-munal violence from Tron-glaobi named Priyabati in-formed media persons that central forces did nothing but kept watching when Kuki militants fired towards Meetei houses the whole night on Tuesday.

Strongly condemn-ing action of the central forces when the Meetei people agi-tated on Wednesday morn-ing against Tuesday's attack by Kuki militants, Priyabati demanded immediate re-placement of central forces by state forces.

Priyabati also informed media persons that DC Bish-nupur has assured to translate into action points mentioned in the memorandum.

DIG IK Muivah, DIG Angam Kamei Romanus and Brigadier Shankar Tiwari of the Indian Army were also present at the DC's office when the memo-randum was submitted.