Locals withdraw road block protest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 07 2024:
The road block agitation taken up by the people of Sagolmang and Pukhao areas against the purported move to replace 18 Assam Rifles with 28 Assam Rifles has been withdrawn after the protesters come to term with the top brass of IGAR (South), today.
The protesters ,however, contended that 18 Assam Rifles at Pukhao-Sagolmang areas should not be replaced by 28 Assam Rifles under any circumstances.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, the protesters conveyed that the 28 Assam Rifles deployed in the area are to assist the 18 Assam Rifles team in protecting the lives and properties of the villagers as per the top brass of Assam Rifles.
The talk was held between the villagers and the Assam Rifles team which included top brass of IGAR (South) and CO of 28 Assam Rifles at around 10.30 am.
President of United Committee Pukhao and Makong Dolaithabi Gram Panchayat Thokchom Sanjoy said that they have already submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Governor, Chief Secretary, DGP and Imphal East DC to deploy adequate State forces at Sagolmang areas if the 18 Assam Rifles is to be withdrawn from the areas.
He said that they wouldn't accept replacement of 18 Assam Rifles with 28 Assam Rifles at Sagolmang areas under any circumstances.
He further stated that instances of violence reduced at Sagolmang areas after the deployment of 18 Assam Rifles.
The villagers want 18 Assam Rifles to protect their lives not because its Commanding Officer is a fellow Meitei but because the unit of paramilitary force managed to win the trust of the villagers, he added.
Saying that they have also appealed to the visiting Assam Rifles team to remove the bunkers of Kuki militants set up atop the nearby hill within 15 days, Sanjoy conveyed that the top officials of paramilitary forces have assured that the bunkers will be removed but could not say when.