CCpur protests decision to replace AR
KSO, CoTU urge centre to nullify move for removal of AR
Source: Chronicle News Service

CCpur/Kpi, July 31 2024: Protests marches were witnessed in Churachandpur district against the reported steps taken by authorities to replace Assam Rifles units by CRPF in fringe areas particularly in hill areas of the state.

People gathered in large numbers at Gothol, Khousabung and Kangvai areas late Wednesday evening and held candle light vigil in protest against the move for removal of the Assam Rifles.

Protesters held placards inscribed 'AR protect and save our lives', 'AR don't go back', 'Meitei militants are problem, not AR', etc., during the protest.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), general headquarters said that the reported decision of the authorities to replace AR units with CRPF in hill areas of Manipur is untimely and such a decision could be a 'wasted and costly' one.

It said that the Assam Rifles, after years of effort and dedication, won the hearts and minds of the hill people thereby resulting in mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

The decision of replacing the Assam Rifles units with CRPF is an absurdity and is against the will of the local population, the KSO said while adding that government needs to rethink the decision discreetly and take the opinion of the respective local people and district civil society bodies.

In the current scenario, the valley based civil society has all sorts of political, administrative and economic power and their voice could be heard at any platform.

Whereas the existence of 'spiral of silence' buried the voice of voiceless people, which weighs more emotional and rational distress for the Kuki community.

Consequently, the KSO-GHQ stood sentient in endorsing the sentiment of the people and vehemently reluctant to accept the irrational decision at this juncture.

The KSO then appealed to the Central government to reconsider and nullify the decision of replacing Assam Rifles with CRPF in public interest.

Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) also termed decision to replace AR units with CRPF as potentially wasteful and detrimental to the hard-earned peace in the region.

In a statement, CoTU said removal of Assam Rifles from the buffer zones at the present juncture is untimely and sought intervention of the Centre on the matter.

While highlighting the crucial role Assam Rifles played, CoTU said AR is considered as the only neutral central security forces currently operating in sensitive areas.

With decades of counter-insurgency experience, the Assam Rifles have earned the trust of the local population and it is essential to have a neutral force under the command of the Union Home Ministry rather than deploying forces influenced by state government led by chief minister N Biren Singh, the CoTU said and strongly called for imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in all 18 police stations of valley areas.

Furthermore, the committee urged state government to control armed militias to prevent further destabilization of Imphal valley.

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