Committee demands withdrawal of CF, proposes renaming of 'misnamed' localities in valley areas
Source: The Sangai Express
Kakching, August 06 2023:
Condemning the gruesome killing of three men, including a father-son duo, at Kwakta Lamkhai Ward No 8 in the wee hours of August 5, the Committee for Peace and Social Harmony, HO Kakching has demanded immediate withdrawal of Central forces who have allegedly remained as mute spectators to all the violence that has befallen Manipur.
During a press conference held at Indoor Stadium, Kakching today, Ksh Chhatradhari Singh, co-convenor, Committee for Peace & Social Harmony stated that at Torbung Bangla on August 3, many womenfolk had suffered injuries at the hands of Central Forces.
He also questioned why the Central Forces, including Assam Rifles, did not stop the huge mob, consisting of several thousands of Kuki men and women, from levelling down scores of Meitei houses with JCBs at Torbung Bangla.
In connection with the killing of three innocent men who were sleeping in their own homes at Kwakta Lamkhai yesterday, he expressed shock that the Prime Minister had not uttered a single word about this brutal, inhumane incident.
Thus, he questioned if the Indian Government has any hidden agenda and cast aspersions towards the Centre's views regarding the territorial integrity of the State.
Adding that roughly 633 Meitei homes were razed to the ground by Kuki militants at Serou, Sugnu and Napat, he shared that a majority of the displaced families are seeking refuge at relief camps set up in Kakching district.
However, neither the Manipur Governor nor the Chief Minister or other prominent leaders have visited the relief camps to enquire after the well-being of the unfortunate families.
The Committee had also requested an audience with the Governor of Manipur on July 10 to apprise her about the condition of the displaced families in Kakching relief camps.
However, they have not yet been granted the opportunity to meet with the Governor, he said.
He further rued the lack of any tangible steps to rein in the violence running rampant in the State and accused the State legislators of appearing in the media merely to show off while decrying such acts.
At such a critical juncture, people's representatives who are unable to perform their duties should resign from office and instead join the people's movement, he opined.
The Committee co-convenor then asserted the stand of the Committee to uphold the territorial integrity of Manipur and thus strongly condemned the newly raised demand for a separate Union Territory.
In the midst of this turmoil, speaking Meiteilon has been allegedly prohibited in Churachandpur and historical names of places in the district have been reportedly changed to Kuki names.
In view of this, all 'misnamed/inappropriately named' localities in the valley areas should also be promptly changed, he suggested.
It is time for the slumbering people's representatives to wake up and their own workers and advisors should play a big role in making this happen, Ksh Chhatradhari said.