Body formed for protection of village volunteers
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 19 2023:
A new body named 'Coordinating Body for Protection of Village Volunteers' has been floated in protest against arrest of five village volunteers who risked their lives while facing the War being waged by Kuki terrorists upon the Meetei community to realised their objective for separate administration.
The body has been formed primarily to launch different forms of agitations with the support of people against the arrest of five village volunteers and the continuing action against them by National Investigation Agencv (NIA).
According to a statement issued by the coordinating body's convener Yumnam Hitler, Chin Kuki terrorists waged war against the Meetei community from May 3 onwards to achieve their separate administration by disintegrating territorial integrity of Manipur.
As Chin-Kuki terrorists used sophisticated weapons to attack and kill Meeteis and torched houses and properties belonging to the Meeteis, innocent Meetei civilians took up arms by any means to defend the attacks from Chin-Kuki terrorists.
However, Manipur government did not honour the role played by village volunteers and rather arrested five village volunteers on September 16, 2023.In protest against the government's action, different CSOs and Meira Paibis along with the people launched several forms of agitation.
Later, all the five arrested village volunteers were granted bail by court on September 22, 2023 but one of them namely Moirangthem Anand was re-arrested by NIA and taken to New Delhi.
The remaining four village volunteers are now being summoned to appear before the NIA court in New Delhi on November 24, the statement said, adding that the government's action has disheartened village volunteers who came out and risked their lives to protect and defend lives and properties of Meetei community .
In view of the emerging situation and the likely uncertain fate of the Meetei community if the government continues to arrest village volunteers, clubs and Meira Paibis of Khurai, Kongba, Singjamei, Sagolband and Langthabal areas convened a joint meeting at NESU ground, Khurai on November 14 and formed the Coordinating Body for Protection of Village Volunteers, the statement said and appealed to CSOs, clubs and Meira Paibis to help and support activities of the newly formed body.