Ex-MLA stresses adequate security in Jiribam
Source: Chronicle News Service
Jiribam, June 16 2024:
Attributing cause of the present unrest situation in Jiribam to insufficient presence of state forces in the region, Jiribam former MLA Ashang-bam Biren has said that the internally displaced persons, currently staying in relief camps following attacks by armed miscreants, could return home if state forces in adequate numbers could be ensured.
Biren shared his opinion during a visit to the Bidyanagar Sport Complex relief camp where people from Borobekra sub-division of Jiribam who have been rendered homeless following torching of their houses by armed Kuki miscreants, are currently taking shelter.
He provided edibles and other essential commodities to the residents of the relief camp.
Speaking to reporters, Biren pointed out that police outposts in Jirimukh and Chotobekra have been burnt down during the violence while claiming that the Borobekra police station is technically non-existent as it lacks manpower to defend in case of aggression by disruptive elements.
Stating that wishes of the people is to strengthen presence of security forces in Barak Circle, he pointed out as the attackers who set fire to houses in different pockets of Jiribam, including Lamtai Khunou, are not occupying the area but left after causing destruction, deployment of security forces in proper strength could encourage and facilitate the displaced villagers to return to their villages for resettlement.
As such, need of the hour is to adequately manpower all the outposts in Jiribam and deploy additional forces in Borobekra police station, he stressed.
The former MLA also said that the failure to deploy adequate number of security forces in the Barak circle, already recognised as a sensitive area and where tribal people have already departed, testifies significant oversight and security lapses on the part of the state government.
There have been several incidents where armed miscreants targeted shops and houses in Lamtai Khunou.
The Meetei settlers never initiated attacks against the tribal people in the region.
Thus, origin of the violence has no involvement of the ordinary citizens of the two communities but due to scheme and actions of armed miscreants, Biren observed and suggested that the state government implement effective measures to prevent the crisis from going out of hand.