Villagers oppose pull out of BSF, GR
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 13 2024: United Committee Pukhao and Makeng Dolaithabi GP president Thokchom Sanjoy Singh has cautioned against withdrawal of the BSF 39 Company stationed at Purum village adjacent to Leitanpokpi, adding that any force withdrawal of the security force will result in indefinite shutdown of Imphal-Pukhao road.

Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club here Monday, Sanjoy informed that Purum village became a buffer zone few days after the conflict broke out.

Shortly after, the 37 Company of BSF was deployed in the area, which somewhat quelled the unrest.

However, there have been reports that the BSF Company would be withdrawn and as such, the locals have been protesting against their withdrawal.

He continued that written requests in this regard have already been submitted to the security advisor, DC and other authorities concerned.

If the BSF Company is pulled out against the wishes of the people, it would not be wrong to assume that the government is paving the way for the Kuki narco-terrorists to attack the area.

As such, if the security forces are forcefully withdrawn, the Imphal-Pukhao road will be shut down indefinitely, he warned.

Mentioning that the villages of Dolaithabi, Ikou Yenkho-mang and Leitanpokpi Mai-renpak were burnt down by Kuki narco-terrorists after the conflict broke out; Sanjoy said that Pukhao and Leitanpokpi have continuously faced many difficulties.

Thus, he drew the attention of the government to continue the deployment of BSF until the conflict is put to an end completely, while raising concerns of possible attacks from Kuki narco-terrorists in case of failing to do so.

The press meet was also attended by the representatives of Young Sporting Club, Leitanpokpi.

Similarly, locals of Waro-iching and adjoining villages staged sit-in protest at the gate of the 9th Gorkha Rifles camp on Monday opposing the government's plan to replace Gorkha Rifles with Assam Rifles, and stated that they prefer self-defence rather than protection from Assam Rifles.

Interacting with the media, a local woman said that the locals had a sigh of relief after deployment of 9th Gorkha Rifles in the area as their presence deter Kuki militants from attacking the village.

However, information has been received about replacing GR with Assam Rifles, which will not be acceptable, she declared.

Other protestors also echoed the same concerns saying that they do not trust Assam Rifles and deploying them would only endanger the Meetei villagers.

They also said that they would launch intense agitation if the government continues with the plan to replace Army with Assam Rifles.

They would prefer self-defence rather than seeking protection from Assam Rifles, the protestors added.

Protestors held placards with slogans such as "We Want 9th GR", "We Don't Want AR" among others.

In Thoubal district, local residents of Nongpok Sekmai and 15 neighbouring villages organised a sit-in protest opposing the government's plan to remove BSF from Nongpok Sekmai police station.

The protestors blocked the gate of the police station as they received information of withdrawal of the BSF personnel from the PS on Monday.

According to the protestors, the BSF troopers have developed healthy relationship with the local population subsequently making them secure.

They do not trust other security forces, they said and demanded the government not to remove or replace BSF from there.

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