Never ever show your face : Meira Paibis to AR
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 03 2023: Categorically saying that they are deadly opposed to deployment of Assam Rifles at Khurkhul and surrounding areas, and that they have a feeling of strong distaste against the Assam Rifles, local womenfolk and the Meira Paibis have asked all AR troops not to ever show their faces.

Since the violent crisis which was largely fuelled by external aggression erupted on May 3, Meira Paibis have been putting up the night at Khurkhul Lamkhai so as to defend their own villages.

But a very suspicious and frightening incident took place last night, said the Meira Paibis.

In the aftermath of the shoot-outs which took place at Phayeng, Koutruk and Kangchup, several vehicles of AR troops came to Khurkhul at around 8 pm, they said.

They said that they can easily identify army vehicles for there is a big garrison of the army at Leimakhong.

Most of the vehicles which came to Khurkhul Lamkhai last night were 407 mini-trucks although there was one Gypsy.

On checking, the vehicles were found occupied beyond their capacity and they were loaded with weapons which outnumbered the occupants.

On being enquired about their destination, the AR troops said that they were going to National Sports University.

Pointing out that the National Sports University can be reached through different routes, the Meira Paibis requested the AR troops to turn back and head for their destination through Imphal.

On being asked where they came from, the AR troops first said that they came from Assam.

As they tried to force their way through, the Meira Paibis blocked their way resulting in a brief stand-off.

After some time, the AR troops turned back only to return within a very short space of time.

This time, the AR troops said that they came from Agartala and were heading to Leimakhong, the Meira Paibis conveyed.

As they looked suspicious and frightening, the Meira Paibis decided not to give passage to the particular AR troops.

The AR troops were also quite obdurate and they made all efforts to make their way through from around 8 pm till dawn.

At dawn, it was seen that all the number plates and logos of the vehicles were covered with mud, the Meira Paibis said.

The AR troops made repeated attempts to make their way through in the morning too but the Meira Paibis stood their ground and they were joined by fellow Meira Paibis from Kanto and Loitang Khunou.

Later, Meira Paibis of Leikinthabi, Tendongyang and Maharabi joined them.

One of the Meira Paibis said that a big water pipeline which used to supply water from Leimakhong to Kangchup was blasted by Kuki militants.

Since then, Khurkhul has not been getting potable water.

People who went to repair the damaged pipeline with security provided by the army were almost killed as they were fired upon by Kuki militants, she said.

She pointed out that different communities live together at Leimakhong.

At Ingourok Chingmang, Meitei houses and Kuki houses literally stood side by side.

But it was at Ingourok Chingmang that Kuki militants first started torching Meitei houses, she narrated.

"We were thinking that it would be over after the houses were torched once but the Kuki militants selectively torched Meitei houses not once but thrice", she said.

Strangely, the place where Meitei houses were burnt down repeatedly was guarded by Assam Rifles.

Moreover, all the shops owned by Meiteis at Leimakhong have been looted, she said.

Kuki militants are now building bunkers inside abandoned Meitei houses.

"We are totally helpless and we cannot even take the bare minimum of our belongings from our own (abandoned) houses", she added.

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