FOCS blames CFs for Jiribam violence
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 27 2024:
Federation of Civil Societies' Organisation (FOCS), Manipur has strongly condemned the recent act of burning three houses of Meetei and Bishnupriya communities in Jiribam district by Kuki militants despite the presence of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the area.
In a statement, FOCS highlighted the incidents of displacement of over 1000 Meetei residents and burning of Meetei houses in several villages by Kuki militants following escalation of violence in the border district in the aftermath of the brutal murder of a Meetei farmer.
FOCS along with Jiribam based CSOs had demanded the home department and district administration to deploy adequate number of security personnel in Borobekra sub-division.
A joint CSO team led by FOCS president went to Borobekra, where even the state security forces could not access.
Additionally, FOCS initiated a joint security meeting with Jiribam CSO leaders and senior officers of 39 Assam Rifles at the office of JIMPAL, wherein they discussed the security measures and resettlement of the displaced people.
They also had another round of meeting with the district administration and SP for deployment of additional security teams.
Amid such arrangements, Kuki militants torched house of a Bishnupriya in Bhutangkhal and two houses of Meetei in Harinagar and Bhokhal on Wednesday around 2.20 am.
The Kuki militants used explosive materials to destroy the houses and burn them later.
Moreover, Kuki militants came out on the street, carried out frisking, and abducted two Meitei Pangal civilians, the FOCS statement said, while expressing serious concern over the development.
FOCS decried the Central government and CAPF personnel deployed by the government for letting such terror activities to continue unchecked.
It questioned the motive behind the government of India's silence on the challenge to the unity and integrity of the country by Kuki militants.
The statement also expressed suspicion of a collusion between the Kuki militants and the government of India to destroy the society, economy, unity and integrity of Manipur.
In case there is such a plan, people of the state may raise the demand for restoring the political status of Manipur before the merger in 1949.FOCS also demanded the state home department and district administration of Jiribam to immediately deploy adequate number of security forces in Borobekra sub-division to ensure security of the people and their properties.