ZCA urges Centre to re-impose AFSPA
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte
CCpur, July 01 2023:
The Zomi Chiefs Association (ZCA) has urged the Centre to re-impose Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 in the whole of Manipur and deploy women personnel to empower the central security forces to perform their duties unhindered.
In a memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the ZCA said more than 4,000 sophisticated arms and 5 lakh rounds of live ammunition were looted from the state armouries but no action has been initiated against incompetent police officers who allegedly handed over the arms and ammunition.
The ZCA also said that Meitei women organisation commonly known as Meira Paibis or 'torch bearers' have continuously prevented central security personnel from carrying out their task.
The Meira Paibis have repeatedly gathered and mobilized in the thousands and central forces have categorically said that such mobilisations are harmful to the efficiency of security forces.
It also said that security forces were compelled, to release 12 members of a proscribed group who were been captured by Indian Army during search operations in Imphal East district on June 24 due to a huge mob led by women.
This unfortunate incident is a clear indication of the prevailing lawlessness in the valley districts of Manipur.
It also shows the motive behind premeditated removal of AF -SPA in the valley areas and the unholy nexus between the secessionist groups and the Meira Paibis.
As such, there can be no doubt that the looted arms and ammunition have reached the hands of secessionist groups, the ZCA said adding that possession of such quantities of arms and ammunition by secessionist groups is alarming and poses
a serious threat to national security and integrity.
While stating that Central forces are unable to perform their duties as desired since the removal of AFSPA from the areas falling under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations in the valley, the ZCA said women contingents are urgently needed to deal with the Meira Paibis and re-im-pose AFSPA in the whole of Manipur.
Copies of the ZCA memorandum were also submitted to Union home minister and Union defence minister.