Allegations Of Staged Encounters Fly Thick and Fast
UNLF predicts reprisals from SFs on civilians
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 03 2012: Contending that recent successful onslaughts against indian military personnel by cadres of different armed groups had been creating fear psychosis among the security forces, the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) today claimed that the Ibobi-led Government of Manipur is reaching out to Indian military leaders to send in more troops.

In addition to over 60,000 troops already deployed in the State hectic lobbying is on for requisitioning 100 companies of security personnel with the intention to torture the innocent public, alleged UNLF's senior publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba in a statement issued today.

Noting recent reports about Indian military personnel as well as State security forces/commandos slaying innocent persons after barging into their homes, pulling them out of bed and randomly picking them up from their workplaces, Yoiheiba opined that people need to assess and discuss the recent spurt in incidents of fake encounters.

File pic of the crater left by the bomb blast at Kwatha Khunou

maintaining that inspite of India claiming to be a democratic country, people of Manipur continue to suffer from all forms of atrocities committed by Indian security forces, the UNLF cited continuous imposition of AFSPA following opposition by the Indian military against the recommendation of the Jeevan Reddy Commission to substantiate its assertion that presence of Indian military in Manipur is to subjugate the rights of the people in the name of suppressing the armed movement.

In the backdrop of the Jeevan Reddy Commission's recommendation reduced to a futile exercise and merely a ploy to appease the masses who revolted against AFSPA following the brutal rape and murder of Th Manorama, it would be no less than wishful thinking to hope that the country's judiciary would initiate any concrete measures to ameliorate suffering of the people from stage-managed encounters, Yoiheiba claimed.

The incidents of RIMS, Malom and Heirangoithong massacres and broad daylight killing of June 23 in the busy Khwairamband Keithel had provided enough evidence that security forces have been exercising their military might upon the innocent people under immunity granted by AFSPA, he mentioned while conveying that UNLF believes in the principle of sacrificing for a better future rather than comprising the rights to survive and live under duress.

Equating ongoing military civic action programmes to the proverbial crocodile tears, the senior publicity officer asserted that such flimsy activities of Indian security forces are irrelevant when a number of innocent people have been killed or maimed and scores of womenfolk raped in the last six decades of living under the Indian rule.

Moreover, with the insurgency movement gaining momentum in every corner of Manipur with each passing day, there is no justification in seeking solace from the Indian military, expressed the UNLF while conveying that UNLF/MPA able to launch audacious offensive against the Indian security forces is due to support and encouragement of the suppressed masses.

Stating that the Kwatha Lamkhai attack had startled the Indian security forces consequently forcing them to adopt aesthetic attitude for they need the civilian population to act as the shield, Yoiheiba cautioned that such an attitude amounts to keeping the prey in a blissful manner for the time being.

Asking the people to understand who the real enemies are instead of cowing to pressure only to be slaughtered at a convenient time and place, Yoiheiba stated that even though people of Manipur long for peace and tranquillity the ongoing atrocities committed by security forces do not suggest that Manipur will be an abode of peace in the near future.

Contrary to the people's aspiration for peace and progress the latest move by the puppet Government installed in Manipur to bring in more Indian military troops is a clear testimony that India's only agenda is to further suppress the people.