Demands raised for removal of security advisor, DGP
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 13 2024: Strongly condemning the brutal killing of Soibam Sarat kumar of Jiribam Sorok Atingbi by armed Kuki militants on June 6, All India Youth Federation (AIYF), Manipur State Council has urged authority concerned to conduct search operations in suspected areas until the culprits are apprehended.

In a statement, AIYF Manipur State Council secretary Kh Himalaya said that though the ethnic violence which erupted in Manipur on May 3 last year spared Jiribam district, considered the western gateway of Manipur, yet there had always been apprehension that Jiribam too will be affected, sooner or later.

As such, different organisations have been pressing the government to strengthen presence the state forces and police outposts in the district but to no avail.

The statement also contended that authority concerned not only neglected the security issues of the district but also failed to address issues plaguing the healthcare sector.

Moreover, with the recent opening of a railway station by Northeast Frontier Railway in Jiribam and potential for transforming the district to a thriving commercial hub, Kuki leaders attempted to lay claims on certain areas of Jiribam through installation of signboards as Kuki villages apart from incidents in the past six months testifying that Kukis were on the lookout to displace Meeteis from Jiribam and gain complete control of the district, similar to their schemes executed in Moreh town which has become an international trade centre.

The AIYF Council also expressed resentment over alleged failure by the relevant authority to enhance security measures in Jiribam despite the chief minister's office instructing the DGP to despatch additional forces on January 15, 27, and 31 following reports of around 200 Kuki militants heading towards Jiribam from Churachandpur along the Jiri-Tipaimukh road, and after a significant cache of arms and ammunition was recovered by a combined team of Manipur police and AR.

The release noted several instances of Kuki militants attacking Meeteis in Jiribam, resulting in burning down of houses and shops.

Despite this, why the DGP did not send additional state forces to the district, it questioned.

The statement also referred to an incident of one Saigolen Singson found missing on May 14 and later found dead along the Munjol River, a part of the Jiri River.

The Kuki community blamed the Meeteis for this and subsequently killed Soibam Saratkumar, leading to the burning of over 70 Meetei houses.

Based on the facts and statistics mentioned, the release demanded the immediate removal of the Manipur DGP and the security advisor from their positions.

Additionally, it called for measures to ensure return of Meeteis who fled to Lakhipur and Jirighat in Assam, urging the government to reconstruct their houses.

Khwairamband Keithel Joint Co-ordinator Committee convenor Laishram Memma also cautioned of launching intense protests if the government does not remove security advisor Kuldiep Singh and DGP Rajiv from their posts within a week.

The committee staged protest at Khwairamband Ima Keithel, here, on Thursday, raising the demand for removal of the security advisor and the DGP.

Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, Committee convenor Laishram Memma questioned both state and central government whether security advisor and DGP are sent in the state to wipe out the Meetei community.

It is not time for the chief minister, who is also in charge of home, to protect his chair when attempts are being made by Kuki militants to take control of Jiribam after controlling Churachandpur and Moreh, she maintained.

The convenor also advised the MLAs not to don the role of experts in the media while living with all worldly comforts in their quarters, while expressing that chief minister N Biren should be ashamed for his alleged silence when even his advance escort team was attacked by armed Kuki militants.

If the state could not protect the territory of Manipur from Kuki militants, then they should empower the people for defend the state and its people, she demanded, while adding that Kuki militants can be flushed out within 10 days.

In her address, co-convenor Yumnam Ibeyaima said that people are aware of a strong force behind the Kukis as they resumed their attack on Meetei post the Lok Sabha election.

So, how the government could overlook such force when people are all aware about it, she enquired, while adding that people can see vividly the strategy of NIA to nab some youths who came out to defend Manipur from the attacks of Kukis.

Pointing out that not only the CM but also the MLAs are responsible for defending Manipur, she wondered why the 50 MLAs could not exert pressure on the centre while the 10 Kuki MLAs have the audacity to demand separate administration.

On the other hand, she urged authority concerned to resume power supply to Khwairamband Keithel which remained cut off since the flooding on May 28 .

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