As violence continues in presence of CSF, KKL demands Security Advisor to step down
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 28 2023: Even as Kuki militants continue to attack civilians and Meitei villages in the periphery of valley districts burning hundreds of houses, the Kangleipak Kanba Lup Manipur has demanded Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh to step down immediately.

As many as "10,000 houses" have been burnt down and more than 45,000 people have been displaced under Kuldiep Singh's watch, it said.

Asking who is in-charge of the law and order and security forces deployed and if there is a Government in Manipur, KKL in a statement today asserted that the Assam Rifles and the Central security forces, deployed in the State especially to contain the violence, have utterly failed to protect the villages, lives and properties of the people.

KKL charged the AR of working in "collusion" with the Kuki militants and asked if their "arrangement" is part of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.

It said the AR should no longer be deployed in Manipur.

After nearly a month, the security forces are unable to control the Kuki militants and thwart attacks on villages.

Asking if Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi are still under the State Government, KKL asserted that in the presence of security forces, houses and properties of Meitei people in Churachandpur have been set on fire and destroyed using JCB and bulldozers.

As many as "10,000 houses" have been burnt down and more than 45,000 people have been displaced under Kuldiep Singh's watch, it alleged. Instead of protecting the Highways, he is engaged in talks with those blocking the roads, KKL said.

All these violence, burning of houses and attacks on civilians are taking place even as thousands of Central security forces including the Rapid Action Force/CRPF have been brought in and deployed in all the sensitive areas, said KKL questioning Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh about his management of law and order.

Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh has failed to contain violence and he is not fit for the job.

He should step down or be removed from his post immediately, said KKL.

Stressing about the need to provide better security to the villages in the periphery to enable them to protect themselves, KKL denounced people being made to deposit their licensed guns.

The situation is serious and it is time for all sections of the society, civil society organisations, clubs, Meira Paibis, youths and people from all spheres to join hands and unitedly face all threats to State's integrity, KKL said.

It continued that the present conflict is not communal but a crisis born out of attempts to run large scale poppy plantations in Manipur by foreigners.

The plot of the foreigners is to occupy the "un-administered" land in the hills for large scale poppy cultivation, KKL said adding the border areas should be properly fenced and guarded by the Border Security Force like at the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh border.

On the other hand, the ban on the internet has crippled the economy and restricted or slowed down the flow of Meitei's side of the narrative/news to the outside world, it said.

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