Road block protests move to switch AR units
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 06 2024: Strongly opposing the government's move to replace 18 Assam Rifles currently deployed in Pukhao-Dolaithabi area with 28 AR, large numbers of people mostly women blocked the road at Sagolmang from Tuesday.

Demanding that 18 AR be stationed at the present location of deployment and no other AR unit will be allowed in Pukhao-Dolaithabi area if the 18 AR is to be removed, large numbers of people from different parts of Khundrakpam AC gathered in front of Assam Rifles camp at Sagolmang and blocked the road.

According to United Committee Pukhao and Makeng Dolaithabi president Thokchom Sanjay, repeated attacks on Meetei villages in Pukhao-Dolaithabi area by armed Kukis since eruption of violence on May 3, 2023 ceased after the deployment of 18 AR.

With the presence of 18 AR, there has been no fire-fight in the past 7/8 months and peace has been returning gradually.

However, 28 AR led by its commanding officer arrived at Sagolmang on Monday evening to replace the 18 AR in a seemingly ploy to allow the Kukis attack Meetei villages in Pukhao-Dolaithabi area similar to a unit of central force helped the Kukis attack Meetei village during the initial phase of the violence, Sanjay alleged and strongly opposed the decision to replace 18 AR by 28 AR.

He further said that replacing 18 AR with 28 AR will be akin to falling into Kukis' ploy to create violence in the area and disturbing the hard-earned peace through the enormous effort by 18 AR and its CO.

Giving 12 hours ultimatum to the government to remove all AR units from Pukhao-Dolaithabi area and deploy adequate state force in the area, Sanjay said that the ongoing road-block stir will be intensified if the government fails to act as per the wish and sentiment of the locals.

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