'Football with guns' perturbs DMCC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 07 2025: The Delhi Meetei Co-ordinating Committee (DMCC) has expressed concern over a disturbing incident in Kangpokpi, where Kuki militants were seen brandishing assault rifles while playing football.

This incident has led the DMCC to accuse the Government of India of failing to maintain law and order in the region.

Flagging concern over the incident, the DMCC urged the Government of India to end State sponsored militarisation.

Elaborating, the Committee urged the Government of India to stop its alleged tacit support and dismantle all armed ethnic groups operating under its watch and restore rule of law.

'Football with guns' perturbs DMCC

Demanding immediate crack down on armed groups, the Committee said that the security forces must disarm Kuki militants and all armed groups to restore order.

The Government of India and Manipur must not allow militant groups to dictate terms, any further, it said.

DMCC also criticised Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the group of Ministers and MLAs who attended Kumbh Mela recently.

The DMCC asked Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the Ministers and MLAs to resign immediately if they are more interested in religious rituals than addressing the 'worsening security crisis' in Manipur.

Governance is a responsibility not a spiritual retreat, the Committee said.

"While Kuki militants play football with sophisticated assault rifles in Kangpokpi, Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his Cabinet Minister including Power Minister Thongam Biswajit, Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, CAF&PD Minister L Susindro Meitei, Langthabal MLA Karam Shyam, Lamlai MLA Kh Ibomcha, Patsoi MLA Sapam Kunjakeswor and Kumbi MLA Sanasam Premchandra were attending the Kumbh Mela at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh," DMCC rued.

Saying that the action of the elected representatives during such a critical moment reflects not only their apathy but also their complete failure in governance, DMCC asked them to hand over the power to the people if they are more interested in religious rituals.

DMCC, meanwhile, said that the blatant display of militarisation in a civilian event at Nohjang Kipgen Memorial Playground in Kangpokpi exposes the complete failure of the Government of India to maintain law and order and Kuki militants' impunity.

It also said that some underaged children were also seen holding rifles in the viral video.

This incident is not an isolated event but part of a disturbing pattern where armed Kuki groups operate with impunity, DMCC charged.

The viral video of Kuki militants playing football while brandishing weapons highlights how deeply entrenched the culture of militarisation and ethnicisation has become under the Government of India's watch, DMCC added.

"That such activities occur in the headquarters of Kangpokpi further prove the collapse of governance and selective enforcement of law and order," the Committee charged.