Kuki bodies flay AFSPA, withdrawal of AR
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 07 2024: Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has demanded the central government to immediately revoke the Armed Forces' (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) from the hill districts.

In a release, KIM information & publicity secretary Janghaolun Haokip asserted that alternatively, if AFSPA is deemed necessary, it should be imposed in the Imphal valley areas, where it is most required due to the history of secessionist demands by Meetei insurgent groups.

AFSPA is a draconian law that is still imposed exclusively in the hill districts of Manipur, which is not only a violation of human rights but is also biased.

The Kuki-Zo areas have been relatively peaceful with insurgent groups signing Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and have no history of conflict with the Indian Army or the Indian state since the pact was signed, it said.

KIM maintained that imposition of AFSPA in the hill districts is a discriminatory act against the hill tribal population.

Given that more than 6000 arms looted in the Imphal valley remain in the hands of militias, it is self-evident that AFSPA should be applied in the valley areas, where Meetei insurgent groups have a history of secessionist demands from the Indian Union, it claimed.

KIM also alleged that the withdrawal of AFSPA in the valley has proven to be detrimental to the enforcement of law and order.

KIM also asserted that as role of the AR is essentially border management and counter-insurgency, their presence is crucial, as the situation in Manipur necessitates strong presence of the central security forces specialised in counter-insurgency.

Meanwhile, Kuki-Zo women, under the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) Sadar Hills, launched demonstration in front of the Assam Rifles Post in Kangpokpi district, opposing the proposed withdrawal of Assam Rifles from their region.

The protest, which began Tuesday evening, underscored the community's deep concerns about local security and stability.

Earlier this month, on August 2 and 3, the Kuki-Zo people held a massive, peaceful demonstration at Gamgiphai, urging the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister to reconsider the withdrawal decision on the ground that the Assam Rifles' presence is crucial for maintaining peace and security given the region's history of ethnic tensions.

The Kuki-Zo community warned of intensifying the protests if the government proceeds with the withdrawal.

Protesters at the 22 Assam Rifles Post in Kangpokpi shouted slogans like "Assam Rifles - Friends of the Hills People" and "Don't Remove Assam Rifles".

CoTU spokesperson Ng Lun Kipgen stated that Kuki-Zo women across Sadar Hills are protesting at all Assam Rifles posts to block any attempts to replace them with other central forces and urged the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister to reconsider the withdrawal, calling it "illogical, ill-timed, and unjust" .

Kuki Inpi South West Sadar Hills also strongly opposed the government's decision to replace the 32 Assam Rifles in Kangchup with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) .

They termed the decision "irrational" and criticised it as a move with "malicious intent" toward the Kuki-Zo community.

Large number of Kuki women under the aegis of Kuki Inpi Bungpi (Lhang) Region, Saikul sub-division also staged protest against the proposed removal of Saibol Post in Twichin-Phaimol area, at Twichin village on Wednesday.

The Saibol Post is located in the fringe area between Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi and Imphal East, and the Twichin-Phaimol area borders Sanasabi, Sabungkhok Khunou, and Yaingangpokpi in Imphal East, making it a buffer zone.

Kuki Women Union Bungpi Region spokesperson Mercy expressed the community's fears, highlighting past incidents where dismantling of a similar post led to attacks by Valley-Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs) .

"The previous demolition left us exposed, and insurgents took advantage of it to launch attacks from the very spot," she explained.

Mercy continued: "The protest is also to demonstrate our discontentment towards the Manipur Government's decision to dismantle the Saibol Posts and deploy the state security forces.

If we are continuously pressurised or if the state government attempts to forcefully deploy state security forces, we will be compelled to fight back" .

Emphasising the community's lack of trust, Mercy stated; "We have already lost our trust in Manipur state security forces, and we are very much aware of the ploy they have played during the ongoing conflict.

We have zero trust in Manipur state security forces and will never allow them to be deployed or enter Saibol Post, which is a Kuki-dominated area" .

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