Shutdown, protest in CCpur against plan to shift AR
Source: Chronicle News Service

Churachandpur/Bisnhnupur, August 05 2024: In protest against the reported plan of the government to withdraw two battalions of Assam Rifles from Kuki-Zo dominated districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, total shutdown was imposed in Churachandpur district on Monday while large numbers of women blocked Tiddim road (Imphal-Chu-rachandpur) in Torbung area.

Amidst the shutdown in Churachandpur, thousands of women under the banner of Joint Women Union, a joint body of Zomi Mothers' Association, Hmar Women Union and Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, staged protest by holding banners and placards against government's plan to shift the Assam Rifles from Churachandpur and replace them with CRPF.

Thousands of women gathered at Peace Ground from 11.30am to denounce government move to shift two units of Assam Rifles.

They shouted slogans some of which read 'No Assam Rifles, No Peace', 'Don't Remove Assam Rifles', 'We Are Safe with You', etc.

They also held a huge banner Tn protest against the arbitrary attempt to remove the Army, Friends of the Hill' and carried placards written like 'Replacing Assam Rifles is not the solution', 'We are with Assam Rifles', 'Don't remove Assam Rifles from this area' besides others.

Later, a memorandum addressed to Union home minister Amit Shah was submitted through DC Churachandpur Dharun Kumar.

The memorandum jointly signed by Hmar Women Union president Rebecca Hmar, Zomi Mothers' Association president Chingngaihdon, Kuki Women Union president Hatkholam and Mizo People's Convention women wing chairperson R Khutni raised strong concerns regarding the replacement of 9 Assam Rifles with a CRPF battalion in Churachandpur district.

While terming government's decision to shift two AR units from Kuki-Zo inhabited districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts as alarming given the critical role the paramilitary force has been playing in maintaining peace and order in strife-torn area, the memorandum highlighted that AR battalions stationed in the two districts are instrumental in managing the delicate balance of peace between the two warring communities.

It also said that AR's long presence in the region contributed significantly to the fragile peace and stability.

A key issue is the perceived lack of confidence that tribal communities have in the CRPF as its present DIG (Operations) is a Meetei, the memorandum said.

Given the sensitive nature of the situation and the potential for increased discord, the memorandum urged the Union home minister, to reconsider the decision to replace Assam.

Rifles.

Meanwhile, the road blockade in Torbung area started from 9 am under the aegis of Thangting Area Chiefs' Association.

To prevent untoward incidents, large number of 26 Kumaon Regiment and RAF personnel were deployed at Phougakchao Ikhai bazar with vehicles preventing from moving towards Churachandpur side.

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