Stir for removal of AR continues unabated
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 10 2023:
The sit-in protest agitations launched by the public demanding removal of Assam Rifles from the state alleging them of favouring a single community in the ongoing crisis, in different parts of the state continued uninterrupted till this day.
On Thursday, Nongmeibung Women's Development Association (Meira paibi association) organised a sit-in protest agitation demanding removal of Assam Rifles from Manipur and against the brutal murder of three people in Kwakta, at Nongmeibung Ayangpali Road.
The women protestors used placards which read "AR should be removed from Manipur", "We condemned the Kwakta incident", "Territorial integrity of Manipur cannot be destroyed" and "We want peace".
They also shouted slogans like "Remove Assam Rifles", "Implement NRC in Manipur" and "Long live Manipur".
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines, a woman protestor said that the demand of the Chin-Kuki narco terrorists for separate administration, Kuki land arid union territory, after waging war in Manipur is unacceptable.
The attempt of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zo people to destroy the territorial integrity of Manipur will not be possible.
She also stated that the favouritism shown towards the Kukis by the Assam Rifles is a well-known fact.
Their atrocities committed against the Meitei women at Torbung Bangla and their act of blocking the state forces from entering vulnerable and crisis areas clearly show their partisan attitude.
While appealing to the state government to restore peace and normalcy in the state at the earliest possible, the agitator also demanded prohibiting entry of illegal immigrants from Myanmar to Manipur, converting Manipur into a poppy state and for protection of reserved forest.
BISHNUPUR: Sit-in protests were staged in different parts of the district under the aegis of Apunba Meitei Ema Lup Manipur (AMELM) on Thursday demanding removal of Assam Rifles from the state as well as calling upon all CSOs working to save Manipur to unite and lead the public agitation in one direction.
Speaking to media persons at one of the protest sites at Temporary Market, Nambol Bazar organised by United Protection Committee, Nambol, Committee's Women Wing secretary L Premila Leima stated that they condemn the extreme measures taken up by AR against meira paibi activists who were democratically protesting against the planned mass burial of slain Kuki militants at Department of Sericulture's Mulberry Farm at Torbung Bangla on August 3.Hence, the sit-in was organised to demand removal of 9, 22 and 37 AR from the district, she added.
On the other hand, Committee's member L Ranibala Chanu emphasised that Torbung is a place closely linked with Meetei history and will never accept burying of the deceased Kukis in the area.
People do not trust AR anymore, therefore they must be withdrawn from the state and should be replaced by other central forces or state forces to protect the boundary of the state, she further asserted.
The protest was also attended by DM University associate professor Dr K Indrakumar as resource person.
Similar protests under the aegis of AMELM were also held at Oinam Bazar, Yumna Khunou, Keinou Thongthak Thongkha and Moirang Okshongbung Leikai Mandop.