Village volunteers shouldn't be criminalised: MP Bimol
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 11 2025: Congress MP Prof Bimol Akoijam has asserted that village volunteers, locally known as 'Khun Ngakpa', who emerged as self-defence groups amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, should not be criminalised.

In an interview with The Print, he emphasised that these volunteers were forced to take up arms due to the government's failure to provide security, and they should not be equated with criminal or politically motivated armed groups.

He pointed out that 'Khun Ngakpa' consist of ordinary civilians who had no choice but to defend themselves in the absence of intervention by the state.

Bimol called for a clear policy to differentiate between various armed elements in Manipur, stating that insurgent groups with political objectives should be dealt with politically, criminal elements exploiting the conflict must be eliminated, and 'Khun Ngakpa' recognised as citizens responding to an extraordinary situation.

He urged the government to formally reintegrate these volunteers into society rather than treating them as insurgents or criminals.

Addressing the complex security scenario in Manipur, Bimol noted the presence of multiple armed factions, including political insurgents, Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups, politically backed armed elements, and village volunteers.

He argued that conflating these groups only worsens the crisis and questioned whether the ceasefire agreement with SoO groups remains in effect, given their alleged involvement in violence.

Even within the SoO groups, there are instances where the husband serves as a commander of some organisation while the wife holds a position as an MLA or party leader.

Such dynamics highlight the need for clear differentiation between these groups.

A judicious approach is essential to ensure that action is not perceived as targeting only one community or group.

The government must establish clear policies to address these complexities and uphold fairness in dealing with armed elements involved in the conflict.

Outlining immediate steps for peace and stability, he called for a judicious crackdown on all armed groups, rehabilitation of conflict victims, and a transparent approach to tackling issues like illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and unemployment.

He also strongly opposed the demand for a separate Union Territory (UT) by Kuki political representatives, warning that such an identity-based separatist agenda would further deepen the crisis.

Criticising the central government's role, Bimol stated that New Delhi has been running Manipur through a "proxy government" rather than allowing responsible leadership to emerge.

He warned that had such prolonged violence occurred in larger states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, or Punjab, the central government would have acted much sooner.

He urged authorities to recognise the people of Manipur as full-fledged Indian citizens who deserve equal attention and care.

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