Stop accusation, Ops will continue: IGAR (S) to Kuki leaders
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 04 2023: Asserting that there were no incidents of looting properties and harassing public during the joint operations carried out by Central and state security forces, IGAR (S) major general Rajan Sharawat has asked leaders of Kuki Women's Union (KWU), Tengnoupal and Kuki CSO leaders of Moreh town to stop levelling unfounded accusation on security forces.

He also announced that the search operations will continue to hunt down the militants.

The Inspector General of Assam Rifles reached Moreh by chopper on Saturday around 8 am and soon after took stock of security situation in the border town.

Manipur Police DIG Range-II Jogeshchandra Haobijam is also stationed in Moreh after he reached there on Friday night.

The IGAR (S) had a joint meeting with DC and SP of Tengnoupal district, and leaders of KWU Tengnoupal and other CSOs at the inspection bungalow of Assam Rifles in the afternoon.

During the meeting, the major general told Kuki civil leaders that the operations are being conducted jointly by central and state forces.

He refuted the allegations of security forces looting jewellery, cash and harassing women during the operation and said that there were no such incidents during the operation and all operations were well documented.

He asked the Kuki civil leaders to stop raising baseless accusation against the security forces and also advised them to explain to the Kuki women congregated in front of the gates of AR camps about the security steps being taken up and make them to return to their respective homes by evening.

Unless they vacate, they will use force to disperse them as per order of the district magistrate, he cautioned.

The major general also told the civil leaders that the combined op eration will continue until all those responsible for the killing of SDPO Anand Kumar were arrested.

Interestingly, following the strong instruction from the IGAR (S), Kuki women who were gathered in front of AR camp gate left the place and returned to their homes after two Kuki men came there and clapped their hands without saying a single word.

On the other-hand, security agencies in Manipur on Saturday strongly denied the ten Kuki MLAs' and tribal organisations' accusations that the state police commandos committed atrocities and attacked triball houses and properties in Moreh along the Myanmar border.

A senior security officer said that at least three police personnel were injured earlier this week when they were ambushed at Senam village by armed militants.

The ambush took place when the security personnel were rushed in as reinforcement after the killing of Moreh Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chingtham Anand Kumar, by suspected militants on Tuesday.

Inspector General of Police, Themthing Ngashangva was leading the security forces in the operation.

The ten Kuki MLAs and two leading organisations -- Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) - on Friday alleged that state forces, including Manipur Police Commandos during search operations at the International Border town of Moreh, resorted to arson, indiscriminate firing, looting of civilian properties, and unprovoked brutality, including assaults on women, forcing a huge number of people, including women and children to flee into the nearby jungles.

Rejecting the allegations, a senior paramilitary officer, who took part in the joint operation, stated on the condition of anonymity that no such incidents took place, and explained that the troopers are equipped with video cameras, which would have recorded any wrongful actions during the operations.

The accusations made by the MLAs and other Kuki organisations come amid ongoing search operations that started on November 1, following the SDPO's killing the previous day.

The joint forces have apprehended at least 32 illegal Myanmarese immigrants and recovered arms and war-like stores, further uncovering landmines and bomb traps along routes to designated camps of the Kuki militants who are under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the government of India and Manipur since August 2008.The designated camps, where the Kuki militants under the SoO agreement were supposed to be staying, were found to be deserted and bereft of weapons, the officials said.

The ongoing ethnic strife between the Chin Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities has also caused displacement of Meitei community people from the border town of Moreh.

It has even rendered the international commercial town inaccessible due to the Kukis' protests and demonstrations.

(With inputs from IANS) .

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