Crackdown on VVs denounced, search ops continue
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 25 2024:
Different organisations and Meira Paibi groups continued protests at different parts of the state on Tuesday op posing deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in valley areas of the state and the government's crackdown on village volunteers (VVs) .
Residents under Lamsang Nagar Panchayat, Phumlou, Mayang Langjing, Kadangband, Khu rkhul and Khonghampat GP organised protest rallies at two locations and raised slogans against deployment of Central security forces and search operations to arrest village volunteers in valley areas, as well as the separate administration demand of the Kuki-Zo people.
One of the rallies started from Leikinthabi and covered Khonghampat Mantri Leikai via Pheidinga while other began from Akham and marched up to Taothong through Lairenkhul.
They also submitted a memorandum addressed to Governor Anusuiya Uikey highlighting their demands.
Athokpam Meira Paibi Apunba Lup also organised a torch rally on Monday night at Athokpam Keithel.
Protestors said that as the village volunteers took up arms to protect themselves and the territorial integrity of Manipur from the aggression of Kuki narco-terrorists, they cannot allow the government to carry out search operations and arrest the village volunteers, who have been forced to choose the path due to the government's failure.
They also questioned the rationale behind the selective crackdown in the valley while giving freehand in the hills.
Women of Phubala and Sunusiphai also carried out a torch rally under the aegis of Phubala Sunusiphai Apunba Meira Paibi Lup on Monday evening.
Similar torch rallies were also organised in Terakhongsangbi, Tronglaobi and Kumbi areas under the aegis of local Meira Paibi groups.
They shouted slogans against crackdown on village volunteers and deployment of central security forces.
Meanwhile, in a series of search operations conducted by security forces at different parts of the state, large cache of weapons and ammunition have been recovered.
According to police report, a combined team of Imphal East district police and personnel of 4 AR conducted search operation at Tera Karong village under Imphal East district from 10 am to 11:30 am Monday leading to recovery of two country-made rifles, five 36 HE hand grenades, four detonators, a stun grenade and two tear gas shells.
However, no arrest was made.
A joint team of Imphal West district police, personnel of CRPF, AR and CSF also conducted search operation in Kadangband Part-II under Lamsang police station around 9 am on Monday during which one Heckler & Koch Assault Rifle, an SLR, one Carbine, three .32 Pistols, one 9mm Pistol and three 12-inch Single Barrel guns were recovered apart from dismantling of a bunker.
On Tuesday, a combined team of Kakching police and BSF conducted search operation in Pallel area including Chandel Lamkhai, Pallel-Chandel road, Pioneer crossing, Pallel Makha Leikai and Pallel Pakthabi.
Around 45 houses were searched and 115 people were verified.
No arrest were made during the operation.
From 6:30 am to 7:50 am on Tuesday, Bishnupur district police conducted operation at Nambol Naorem Awang and Mayai Leikai during which 72 houses were searched and 156 people verified.
However, no arms and ammunition were recovered nor arrest made during the operation.
Meanwhile from 4:30 am till 6:30 am on Tuesday, a combined team of Imphal East district commando, Lamlai police and BSF conducted area domination patrolling in Napet Mamang and Maning area along with conducting search operation.
A total of 80 houses were searched and 24 people verified.
No recovery of arms and ammunition nor arrest Were made during this operation as well.