Send reinforcement to Moreh cry rend the air
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 17 2024: Protests erupted at Kwakeithel, Malom, Kwakeithel and Thoubal following the fierce attack on State forces by Kuki militants at Moreh, today.

At least two personnel of special commandos have been killed in the fresh offensive at Moreh today while three others sustained injuries.

Hundreds of women assembled at Khwairamband Keithel at around 1.30 pm and staged a protest.

During the demonstration, the protesters urged the Centre and Manipur Government to give full power to the State forces to drive out Kuki militants from Moreh.

After some time, the womenfolk resolved to meet the Chief Minister and the Governor over the issue and headed towards Raj Bhavan and CM Bungalow.

They, however, were stopped in front of Gambhir Singh Shopping Arcade by a team of Imphal West police led by SP Ksh Shivakanta.

Send reinforcement to Moreh cry rend the air

After a brief interaction, the SP allowed seven women from among the protesters to meet the Governor at Raj Bhavan.

Reportedly, the meeting with the Governor lasted for more than two hours.

Speaking to the media in front of Raj Bhavan after meeting the Governor, Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Co-ordinating Committee (KIKJCC) Laishram Mema said that they condemn the development at Moreh.

Saying that it is the Kuki militants who have been keeping the State on the boil and the same has been confirmed by the unfolding situation at Moreh, Mema asked why the Centre and Manipur are still not taking any concrete actions against Kuki militants.

She also said that it is not the time for the Chief Minister and all legislators to continue clinging to their seats of power.

Asking if the Centre and Governor Anusuiya Uikey are awaiting the disappearance of Meeteis, Mema cautioned that the people of Manipur may demand review of Manipur Merger Agreement if the Centre keeps on ignoring the issue besieging Manipur.

To a query, Mema responded that they urged the Governor to dial the Central leadership immediately and ask them to make their stand on the Manipur issue clear and give full power to the State forces to stop the hostility of Kuki militants.

Saying that the Governor has assured to raise the issue during a meeting of the Central leaders at Shillong tomorrow, Mema continued that they have urged the Governor to ask the Central leaders to visit Manipur too.

Meanwhile, Tiddim road was closed at Malom soon after the report of the killing of IRB personnel W Somorjit who is a resident of Malom reached the public.

The locals of Malom staged a sit-in in protest and constituted a JAC in connection with the killing of Somorjit.

The JAC resolved to not claim the body until some sort of agreement is worked out with the Government.

Some of the demands they raised are to send reinforcements to Moreh to drive out Kuki militants, removal of Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh and to assign the post of Chairman of the Unified Command to Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

A rally was also taken out towards CM Bungalow by the locals of Malom and Kwakeithel.

The rallysists were stopped at Hodam Leirak by the police and later 10 of them were allowed to proceed and meet the Chief Minister.

Hundreds of people also stormed Thoubal DC office, SP office and the camp of 3rd IRB in the district with the demand to send reinforcements at the border town immediately, today.

Speaking to the media by the sideline, the protesters said that Kuki militants accompanied by armed people from Myanmar have intensified their aggression at Moreh to kill all State forces being posted at the border town.

Asking why the Government is not taking up any concrete action despite the hostility in Manipur becoming more intense, they urged the Government to send reinforcement at Moreh immediately to prevent further casualty on the side of State forces.

All shops, keithels and business establishments were closed ahead of the normal time in Thoubal due to the protest but there was no restriction on vehicular movement.