JAL condemns armed militant attacks, calls for immediate Govt action
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 16 2024: Jiri Apunba Lup (JAL) has issued a strong condemnation of recent acts of violence perpetrated by Chin-Kuki-Zo-Hmar armed militants in the district In a press statement, JAL expressed its outrage over the escalating terror activities and the support extended by groups such as the Indigenous Tribal Advocacy Council (ITAC), based in Jiribam and Pherzawl, and other similar organisations JAL emphasised that it does not condone any acts of terrorism and highlighted the severe impact these attacks have had on mnocent civilians According to JAL, the Chin-Kuki-Zo-Hmar armed militants have engaged in repeated and targeted acts of violence, including the brutal killing of S Sarat Kumar Singh and Y Kulendra Singh, who were not involved in any conflict.

The statement detailed that at least 16 attacks on Meetei villages have been carried out using bombs, heavy firearms, and other sophisticated weaponry.

These assaults have not only led to extensive destruction of properties and homes but also inflicted significant emotional and psychological trauma on the local communities.

The press release underscored that ITAC and similar organisations publicly supported the November 11 attack by armed militants through their press statements, falsely portraying the assailants as "village volunteers".

However, JAL refuted these claims, asserting that the attackers were clearly armed militants equipped with advanced weapons and bombs.

In an audacious attack during broad dayhght, the militants entered the village, overpowered the Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF) personnel stationed there, and set houses ablaze.

Video evidence confirmed the gravity of the situation, which included the horrific deaths of two elderly residents, L Baren Meetei (70) and M Kesho Meetei (60), who were burned alive in their homes The violence also saw the abduction of six individuals, including three women and three minors, three of whom remain missing.

The militants did not stop there; they opened fire on security forces attempting to control the violence, resulting in serious injuries to several personnel.

Despite the clear evidence of the militants' aggressive and violent actions, JAL noted that ITAC and other organisations have called for security forces to remain passive.

This demand, JAL argued, only emboldens the perpetrators and undermines efforts to protect innocent lives In its statement, JAL posed a crucial question to both the public and the government: "How can organisations that chant slogans like 'We want justice' during their rallies justify defending armed militants who were killed while engaging in acts of terror?" JAL called this stance unreasonable and inconsistent with claims of seeking justice and peace.

JAL's statement also extended a call to all right-thinking communities in Manipur to stand against those who support terrorism and to show solidarity with the victims of these atrocities.

The organisation emphasised that without collective action agamst supporters of terror activities, peace in the state would remain a distant goal.

JAL urged the government to take decisive measures, including declaring organisations that support terrorist activities as illegal entities Such actions, the statement argued, are necessary to restore peace and ensure security across the region.

"If we do not defend our communities against these acts, peace will remain elusive, " the statement warned, appealing for a unified response from both the public and the authorities to end the cycle of violence and support the path to peace in the state.

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