Committee submits memorandum to PM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 09 2023: The Committee on Mass Protest Against Assam Rifles has today submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through Governor Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan.

The committee highlighted many issues including the prevailing violence, planned burial of unidentified bodies at Torbung Bangla and atrocities committed by Assam Rifles and listed up 10-point demands in the memorandum submitted today.

Earlier in the day, members of the committee took out a march from Johnstone school towards Raj Bhavan but were stopped by security and only a few select leaders were allowed to visit the Governor.

The remaining committee members, meanwhile staged a silent protest by displaying placards inscribed with slogans such as "Stop using Indian security forces against Meiteis", "Go Back Assam Rifles" etc.

In the memorandum, the committee highlighted the pre-designed genocidal campaign started at Torbung on May 3 by Thadou/Kuki-Paite militants by joining forces with cross border terrorists like Chin Defence Force and People's Defence Force of Myanmar.

Central and other para-military forces not only remained silent spectators but also seemed to be collaborative with the said militants.

Their inaction has encouraged the terrorists to expand occupation and create buffer zones in the settlements and paddyfields of Meiteis, the committee charged.

The committee also noted the highly politicised move of mass burial of unidentified bodies which was planned to be executed at Government Sericulture farm at Torbung Bangla- a spiritual, mythological and historical site of Meiteis.

The committee also pointed out the atrocities meted upon Meira Paibis on August 3 by Assam Rifles at Phaogakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district when they went to oppose the proposed burial.

The Assam Rifles deployed there, in the process of controlling Meira Paibis used means and ways beyond all ethics like electrifying barricades, using electric batons, assault with gun butts and use of toxic gases.

They also trampled and booted the women challenging their dignity, the committee wrote.

Highlighting partial security measures taken up in hill and valley district including setting up of checkpoints and destruction of bunkers, the committee further maintained that Meiteis are restricted from entering their own native villages and cultivate paddy fields and the said areas are forcibly occupied and declared as buffer zones by Thadou/Kuki-Paite Militants in collaboration with Assam Rifles.

Citing the facts, the committee urged the Prime Minister that the sanctity of Torbung be upheld and preserved for all time; identity of the dead bodies be established before conducting any last rites at an appropriate place; to disallow mass burial at the proposed site.

If such burials are allowed, Meiteis should be allowed to perform religious rites of the dead at Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi etc., the committee demanded.

The committee also urged to trace, recover, identify and handover the missing bodies including dead ones of Meiteis to their relatives immediately.

The committee further demanded withdrawal and removal of Assam Rifles from entire State and punish them under relevant laws for their excessive atrocities; deployment and enforcement of State forces by imposing uniform laws of the land especially at Moreh, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi and demolition of buffer zones declared by the Thadou/Kuki-Paite militants.

The committee also went on to demand for application of the Government's policy of "No Work, No Pay" to all Government employees and prayed that the immediate actions be enforced before Independence Day celebration.

People of Manipur shall be compelled to launch mass agitation if their demands are not heard, the committee continued.

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