COPMeV warns Moreh route choke over threat to police
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 02 2024:
Committee on Protection of Meetei Victims, Moreh (COPMeV) has urged the government to empower the state security forces and also ensure provision of essential items including edibles, medicines, etc.
In a release, COPMeV general secretary Th Budha Meitei condemned the statements issued by Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and Village Volunteers, Tengnoupal District cautioning shop owners not to sell any goods including water to the state forces deployed in Moreh town.
While opining that such diktat is part of the ploy to constrict livelihood of the non-Kuki communities in Moreh and subsequently to force them to leave the township, he also suggested that both state and central governments declare the Village Volunteers Tengnoupal as a terrorist organisation for their anti-social and anti-national acts.
If Kuki organisations restrict sale of goods to state forces, then the committee will also halt transportation of goods towards Moreh town by joining hands with the people, he cautioned.
While asserting that no one should cause disturbances to state forces discharging duty in any part of the state, Budha commended the state forces for protecting lives and properties of the people without any discrimination.
The allegations levelled against the state forces by COTU are to cover up and divert attention from attacks targeting state forces by Kuki militants, he remarked.
Budha further said that border town Moreh is the eastern gate of Manipur and a part of India.
People of every community residing in the border town are citizens of the nation: Those non-Meetei communities residing in the town and indulging in business activities are facing serious inconveniences including frequent threat, extortion, looting by Kuki militants.
The directive to close shops and prohibit sale of goods testifies primary objective of the Kukis to drive away all other communities from Moreh town, the secretary maintained.