Women body opposes crackdown on village volunteers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 05 2025: The Loyalam Apunba Nupi Lup Khumbong has come out strongly against the arrests and detention of village volunteers by security forces.

Addressing a press conference today at Manipur Press Club, Loyalam Apunba Nupi Lup president Khomdram Ibemhal said that the village volunteers were compelled to take up arms after Kuki terrorists launched a deadly aggression, slaughtered many innocent people and burnt down thousands of houses.

She asserted that the failure of security forces to rein in the violence in the initial stage of the conflict led to the emergence of village volunteers who stepped up to protect their own villages and people.

"Without the protection rendered by village volunteers, Manipur might have ceased to exist", said Ibemhal while questioning the logic of pulling up village volunteers who were only defending innocent and helpless villagers.

"It would be wrong and gross injustice if all the youth who took up arms in self defence are assumed and declared as outlaws", she added.

She also denounced the Government of India's handling of the prolonged conflict which has been going on for nearly two years and accused the Government of taking sides.

Furthermore, Ibemhal appealed to the authorities concerned for immediate cessation of operation carried out by the security forces to arrest village volunteers.

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