FOCS demands deployment of additional forces
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 07 2024:
The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) Manipur has demanded deployment of additional State forces at Lamtai Khunou and other Meitei inhabited areas of Jiribam.
Condemning in the strongest terms the cold blooded murder of a 59 year old man at Mulargao hill after he was abducted from Khasia Punzi allegedly by armed Kukis on Thursday, FOCS has asserted that Kuki militants and their supporters have been repeatedly attacking and provoking the Meitei people of Jiribam.
Although a violent crisis has been raging across the State since May 3, 2023, a peace committee comprising the district administration, district police, Assam Rifles, CSOs and community leaders have been working to maintain peace and harmony in Jiribam.
Even though the Meitei community placed their trust in the peace committee, Kuki miscreants have been repeatedly attacking and provoking the Meiteis, FOCS said in a press release.
Last year, one Meitei driver was assaulted in the most brutal manner at Keiphundai.
Lamtai Khunou was attacked with bombs and guns.
Three shops belonging to one Haobam Manikumar were destroyed completely by planting bombs on March 28 this year.
Recently, one Meitei house was burnt down at Nungkhal and a farm belonging to ex-Adhyaksha Kh Janaki was also torched by armed Kukis, FOCS said.
In spite of all these repeated attacks and violent activities, the district administration, police and Assam Rifles who are the principal actors of the peace committee have not taken up any action against the unlawful activities of the armed Kukis, FOCS said.
It then questioned whether there is any sinister agenda behind the peace committee to exterminate all the Meitei people of Jiribam.
Considering the repeated attacks at Lamtai Khunou and other Meitei inhabited areas of Jiribam by armed Kukis, the State Home Department must initiate due process to deploy additional State forces at these places, FOCS asserted.
If the district administration, district police and the State Home Department fail to initiate due arrangements to protect the Meitei villages of Jiribam, the authorities must not interfere when the people of Jiribam take up necessary measures to protect themselves, it said.
It also conveyed gratitude to JIMPAL, JDO, JAKCAL, UJYL and CADA for evacuating Meiteis from Mongbung and opening a relief camp at Chingdong Leikai Primary School.