Scrap SoO call raised again
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 20 2023:
A day after SoO Kuki militants burnt three houses belonging to Meiteis at Dolaithabi, people of the areas staged a sit-in protest and many have demanded institution of Special Police Officers(SPOs) to defend their villages and protect themselves.
The Committee on Protection & Restoration of Affected Villages by Ethnic Conflict under Khundrakpam A/C organised a sit-in protest at Pukhao Ahallup Community Hall.
The sit-in protest decried Kuki militants attacking civilians and burning down houses and demanded the Centre and State Government to immediately withdraw from the Suspension of Operation agreement signed with the Kuki militant groups.
The protesters also held placards that asserted that the Government of India should take responsibility for the violent clashes and accused it of not taking concrete steps to effectively protect the people and their properties at sensitive areas.
On the sideline of the sit-in demonstration, Committee on Protection & Restoration of Affected Villages by Ethnic Conflict under Khundrakpam A/C convenor Okram Saratchandra said the Kuki militants under SoO are still continuing to attack civilians and burning their houses at Meitei villages of Pukhao, Ikou, Yengkhuman and Dolaithabi under Khundrakpam Assembly Constituency.
The Central security forces deployed are not able to thwart and control the attacks mounted on civilians by Kuki militants, he said.
The armed militants are attacking the villages in the "presence" of the Assam Rifles.
People are apprehensive whether the AR are working in collusion with the militants, he added.
If the State forces and the Central security forces are unable to face the attacks and control the Kuki militants, then the civilian population of the areas should be armed by the Government to defend and protect themselves, said the convenor urging the Centre and the State to scrap SoO.
Meanwhile, people of Leitanpokpi area have urged the Government to institute Special Police Officers (SPOs) in the area for their own protection.
During a press meet held at Leitanpokpi, the people said Kuki militants are stationed at nearby villages and attacking Meitei villages.
They asserted that the Central forces deployed are not intervening and they are unable to drive away the militants.
While the villagers are being pacified not to indulge in violent acts by the constant efforts of the Central security forces, they themselves (security forces) have failed to thwart the aggressive attacks and movements of the Kuki militants in the area, they added.
150 acres of cultivated land/fields of Leitanpokpi are being occupied and under the control of the Kuki militants, they said urging the Government to control the militants and station them at their designated camps.