COCOMI to press President, PM remove AR
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 25 2024: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) would be submitting memorandums to the President of India and the Prime Minister demanding complete removal of Assam Rifles from the state.

Addressing the media at its office, here, on Thursday, COCOMI coordinator Somorendro Thokchom refereed to a recent remark made by former ADG of Border Security Force, PK Mishra, recommending removal of a particular para-military force from the state in order to resolve the on-going crisis.

Though the former BSF ADG did not mention the name of the para-military force, COCOMI believes that it would be Assam Rifles as there are substantial number of incidents which could prove their alignment with the Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists in the 14-month long crisis.

One of the clearest examples is their act of blocking the gate of Sugnu police station by parking Casspir vehicle and multiple instances of using brute force against Meira Paibi (women vigilante) activists, he maintained.

Alleging that the Assam Rifles did nothing to protect the abandoned properties of Meeteis in Kuki-dominated areas after the Meetei residents fled for their lives, the coordinator also claimed about instances of senior officers of Assam Rifles involved in illegal drug trades.

Somorendro also recalled a statement made by former home secretary GK Pillai, who advocated for the government of India to rectify its past mistakes while speaking about the armed movement in the state.

Considering all these facts, the coordinator said, the Central government should do away with their colonial outlook towards the state, failing which it could only incite intense public movement.

Centre should not take the remarks of GK Pillai and PK Mishra lightly but look into the reasons behind their statements and act accordingly to address the core issues, he stressed.

Somorendro also expressed belief that translating into action the recommendation made by PK Mishra could help in restoring peace and normalcy in the state at the earliest.

COCOMI will soon submit memorandum to the President of India and the Prime Minister with demand for complete removal of Assam Rifles from the state, he said, while calling for public support in pursuing the matter.

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