Villagers rebuff allegations against Col Akash
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 08 2023:
Villagers of Sagolmang area have rejected the allegations made by some Kuki organisations against Assam Rifles Commandant Colonel Oinam Akash as baseless and unfounded.
Speaking to media persons at Khewa Company, Imphal East today, Northern Development Youth Club, Pukhao Terapur secretary Thokchom Sanjoy said that some newspapers published in Kuki dialect and a number of social media posts have been accusing Col Akash of extending help in the construction of a road at Chanung.
The allegation is grossly wrong because the road was constructed for stationing Central security forces in the area, and the road does not touch any Kuki area, Sanjoy said.
He then asked as to why the Kuki organisations/people are opposed to the arrangement of stationing Central security forces at Chanung.
The allegation that Colonel Akash fired bullets and bombs toward Kuki civilians is totally baseless, Sanjoy clarified.
It was Col Akash and his team who defended Pukhao and Leitanpokpi when heavily armed Kukis tried to burn down the two Meitei houses on May 30 and 31 this year, he said.
He went on to ask, "Are the Kuki organisations scheming to let the Kuki militants attack Meitei villages and massacre civilians without any obstruction from the security forces?" .
Chanung Village Development Committee secretary N Tangba Meitei said that some Kuki organisations, by making baseless allegations against Col Akash, have been complaining to Central leaders to get the military officer removed from the area.
Leaders of Eramdam Kanba Lup, Nongshum and Leitanpokpi villagers were also present at the press meet.