Pallel denizens decry Govt apathy, seek IRB post
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kakching, September 12 2023:
Decrying the state government's alleged apathy towards suffering of the locals especially after the Pallel incident on September 8, denizens of Pallel have urged the central and state governments to station an IRB battalion in the area and permanently remove Assam Rifles from Pallel and Manipur.
Addressing a press meet convened by United Committee (UC), Pallel at Pallel Khongnang Achouba Makhong on Monday, meira paibi activist Takhellambam Shanta recounted that on September 8 morning Kuki militants fired at Meetei inhabited areas of Pallel after which the Meetei women waving the National Flags rushed to the gate of the AR post at Pallel asking for protection.
However, the AR personnel dishonoured the tricolour and started thrashing the women mercilessly.
The AR did not engage any women personnel at the time of incident and if the police commandoes had not come and rescued them, they would have been killed by the AR, she claimed.
Shanta also recalled that AR blocked a large crowd at Laimanai Chingjin which was rushing in to help the Pallel denizens during which the AR personnel opened fire indiscriminately on the people causing death of two people.
On top of this, the AR also deployed Casper vehicles which drove through Pallel Khullak as its personnel fired on people including women, children and elders injuring many, she alleged.
The activist emphasised that people of Pallel are totally opposed to the suppressive measures of AR in the so called 'buffer zone' declared by it, while demanding that AR be immediately removed, particularly from Pallel area.
She also contended that locals are randomly subjected to checking by the AR troopers with those in need of medical emergency detained for more than half an hour under the pretext of checking operation by AR consequently creating fear psychosis on seeing the AR more than the Kuki militants.
Lamenting indifference of the government, Shanta said that despite incidents like that of the Pallel no one from the government's side has visited the area.
She also said that as the locals are apprehensive of the Kukis launching more attacks in the area the government should set up an IRB post at Pallel and remove the buffer zone set up by the AR at Bijoypur and Laimanai Chingjin.
Also present at the press meet, UC, Pallel convener Moirangthem Jiban said that since the ethnic conflict erupted in the state, tension has remained high in Pallel and they have been maintaining vigil for four months now.
He also condemned the action of AR on September 8 which led to killing of two people and injuries caused to many.
Jiban lamented that the state government is not taking any steps to address the fear and plight of people of Pallel, while suggesting that the government resolve the problems faced by the Pallel denizens at the earliest.
He also demanded that the government to conduct a judicial enquiry against the AR personnel involved in firing on civilians, remove AR and resolve the present crisis and further appealed to the public to extend whatever help they can to the Pallel people as they are in dire needs.