PM urged to keep AR at its present posts in state
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 03 2024:
Zo United (ZU) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to keep the Assam Rifles at its present posts in Manipur.
In a memorandum submitted to PM Modi, ZU secretary Dr V L Nghakthang and convener Albert L Renthlei stated that AR has steadfastly policed critical and sensitive areas in strife-torn Manipur for more than a year to forge a hard-won ceasefire, and successfully thwarted attempts to escalate violence on many occasions.
It is, therefore, deeply concerning to learn that there are plans to replace 9 AR and 22 AR by CRPF allegedly at the behest of Meeteis, one of the communities involved in the ongoing conflict, it mentioned, while adding that 9 AR patrols the crucial Kangvai-Gothol area near the Churachandpur-Bishnupur buffer zone while 22 AR is in Kangpokpi.
ZU pointed out that AR has the most experience among Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Manipur with unparalleled knowledge of the local populace both Kuki-Zo tribals and Meeteis.
Their understanding of the culture and geopolitical sensitivities of the region has been crucial in fostering an environment of peace, it emphasised.
The Zo body maintained that at this critical period, when the central government is making moves to try and end the conflict, removing the AR and replacing it by a new force with no comparable knowledge of the terrain or the people could result in escalation of violence.
"We are also concerned that the deputy inspector general (DIG) of CRPF, Huidrom Premjit, belongs to Meetei community, and has been accused of failing to maintain neutrality during the recent flare-up of hostilities in Jiribam district," it alleged.
ZU continued that with the buffer zones always on tenterhooks, any misunderstanding or attempt by one side to provoke the other could result in a fresh bout of violence without intervention from an experienced hand.
"When should central forces come down hard on the warring parties? When should they try and pacify the locals? Who are the leaders and the main players in a particular area when you need to de-escalate a situation? AR is familiar with all these questions because of the years they have spent in the region," it stressed.
ZU further claimed that on several occasions in the past year, AR prevented many deaths by steadfastly performing its duty even at the cost of being subjected to wrongful propaganda.
Incidents like these led to AR being falsely accused of favouring one community despite the professionalism and pragmatism it has shown throughout the conflict, it asserted.
But the main points to ponder are is it a good idea to remove a proven and experienced force like AR, which is already familiar with the region, and replace it with another force at this crucial time; why should a partisan community which is directly involved in the conflict dictate the deployment of central security forces and if the AR needs to be probed in some cases, shouldn't the central government follow due procedure and launch an investigation against the particular personnel involved, it posed, while adding that removing an entire regiment to pacify one community will create a very bad precedent.
ZU reiterated that replacing the AR at this stage would undermine the integrity of the force and also the trust their people have in the central government along with disrupting the fragile ceasefire along the buffer zones and lead to an eruption of violence.
"We pray that your good office will take note of our pleas so that the right decision which benefits the entire country may be taken," it said.
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