How many cases were handed to CBI: Lokeshwor
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 13 2025:
In the wake of the recent arrest of Arambai Tenggol leader Asem Kanan in connection with the case handed over to the CBI, Khundrakpam AC MLA Th Lokeshwor has asked how many cases were handed over to the CBI by the BJP Government which was there before President's Rule was imposed in the State.
The MLA was speaking at the 2nd anniversary of the Battle of Khamenlok held today at Nongshum, Imphal East.
Offering deepest respect to all the martyrs who had laid down their lives defending the integrity of Manipur, Lokeshwor expressed strong indignation against the Government crackdown on youths who worked tirelessly to protect the motherland.
It would not be right for the security forces to arrest village volunteers who volunteered to defend innocent people in the face of relentless attack by Kuki narco-terrorists.
Had the State Assembly adopted a resolution to protect village volunteers from arrest, security forces would not have arrested the village volunteers, he said.
When Kuki narco-terrorists launched coordinated attacks, opened fire from surrounding hill tops and burnt houses, the Meitei youth came out voluntarily to defend themselves with whatever crude weapons like swords, bows and sticks they had, he recounted.
Khundrakpam Assembly segment was one of the worst affected areas of the violent aggression.
Many villages in the foothills were totally burnt down.
"I was also a victim of the crisis.
My house at Sagolmang was set ablaze and reduced to ashes", Lokeshwor said.
The Sinai camp of Kuki militants is located close to Khundrakpam AC.
Had the Central security forces prevented the Kuki narco-terrorists from moving out of their designated camp, the Meitei villages located in the foothills of Khundrakpam AC and Lamlai AC could have been saved from violent attacks and arson, he rued.
Had the State and Central Governments taken up strong actions, the crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023 could have been avoided or contained at the initial stage, Lokeshwor said.
He also underscored the need for a popular Government in the State.
He reiterated his appeal to the BJP and ruling MLAs to form a popular Government and bring a solution to the protracted crisis.
Even without the 10 Kuki MLAs, the ruling parties still have 44 MLAs and they can easily form a popular Government, the Congress MLA said.
In the face of the sudden and coordinated attack, the then Chief Minister N Biren, his Council of Ministers, MLAs, Opposition MLAs, CSOs, civilian volunteers and Arambai Tenggol volunteers all worked together to protect the integrity of Manipur, its territorial boundary, people's lives and properties, he said.
If the security forces are singling out the Arambai Tenggol of all the people who worked together to protect the integrity of Manipur, people's lives and properties, it would be a gross injustice, he said.
Saying that MLAs also took part in saving Manipur, he urged the Government to arrest them too.
During the Assembly session held in February, 2024, MLA K Ranjit raised a motion to pass a resolution which would protect all civilians who volunteered to protect Manipur and its territorial boundary from illegal immigrants.
But the State Government led by Chief Minister N Biren turned down the motion, Lokeshwor said.
He also expressed strong disapproval against the inaction in hill areas as compared to what is seen in the valley.
It would not be right for the CBI to take up cases against village volunteers like the Arambai Tenggol.
All of them came out to save Manipur, he said.
He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stubborn refusal to meet MLAs from Manipur on the protracted crisis.
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