Locals demand withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Pallel
Source: The Sangai Express

Kakching, August 05 2023: Expressing distrust in the activities of the Assam Rifles, locals of Pallel demanded the authorities concerned to withdraw Assam Rifles from Pallel area immediately.

Addressing media persons during a press meet held at the office of Social development organization (SDO), Pallel today, Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, Pallel finance secretary M Romi maintained, 'The locals of Palled have lost trust in the Assam Rifles in the wake of various 'biased' attitude of the paramilitary forces towards the Meiteis' .

Therefore she urged all concerned to withdraw Assam Rifles from Pallel with immediate effect in the interest of all.

United Committee, Pallel Chairman M Chandrakasor who was present at the press meet said that no untoward incidents have occurred in Palled ever since the unfortunate communal conflict erupted in the State on May 3 last due to the sincere and collective efforts of the State forces, paramilitary forces in association with the locals and all the communities are coexisting peacefully.

In a bid to maintain peaceful coexistence, the 21 Assam Rifles has been holding various sessions with members of different communities.

However, the recent activities of 21 Assam Rifles is directed towards creating unrest among the Meitei community, he alleged.

Citing yesterday's stand off between the 21 AR and locals regarding the Assam Rifles attempt to build bunkers at a paddy field located between Pallel and Kaching, Chandrakasor termed it as 'an act to cause hindrance in the movement of Meiteis' .

In view of the above acts, United Committee Pallel will no longer attend any talks organised by 21 AR but the committee will continue to coordinate with other communities to maintain peace and harmony in the region, he said.

Raising questions on the agenda of the Assam Rifles, Committee Convenor M Jiban appealed to the authorities concerned to remove the two bunkers of AR at Bijoypur and Laimangai Chingjin along the NH-102 in the interest of the locals.

'We have been demanding for the same from before as it cause hindrances to the movement of civilians along this route', he said.

If it is not possible to remove these bunkers, please take up measures to replace the paramilitary force stationed in these bunkers with the State forces, he urged.

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