Kuki MLAs urge PM to reconsider withdrawal of AR
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 03 2024: The 10 estranged Kuki MLAs submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing their concern over the Central government's decision to withdraw the 9th and 22nd Battalion of the Assam Rifles from their current deployment in the state.

The MLAs urged the PM to reconsider the decision, and cited the critical role of Assam Rifles in maintaining peace and preventing further violence in the state.

In the memorandum, the 10 Kuki MLAs said that have learned of a plan to withdraw the 9th and 22nd Battalion of Assam Rifles from their sensitive deployment in Kangvai and Kangpokpi.

They attribute this decision to pressure from within the state government, who they claim are attempting to portray the Assam Rifles in negative light.

The MLAs assert that the Assam Rifles have so far served as a neutral force, standing tall in their duty to maintain law and order.

The MLAs asserted that the unbiased service of the Assam Rifles in the fringe areas has been instrumental in preventing further escalation of violence.

They argued that the role played by Assam Rifles has been absolutely neutral and crucial in maintaining law and order in these sensitive regions.

The memorandum further stat ed that the decision to replace the Assam Rifles battalions with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at this critical juncture is perceived as a "sinister design'' aimed at targeting the Kuki-Zo community.

They stressed the importance of maintaining the current status quo, particularly, in the buffer zones separating the Meetei and Kuki-Zo communities, and argued that the presence of Assam Rifles is indispensable at this stage.

In light of the prevailing circumstances, the 10 Kuki MLAs appealed for the two Assam Rifles battalions to remain in their current deployment.

In case their withdrawal is unavoidable, they request that these battalions be replaced by other units of Assam Rifles, rather than CRPF.

The memorandum concluded with an appeal to the Prime Minister to either withdraw or rectify the decision in the interest of justice.

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