Lup questions AR's failure to tackle Kuki militants
Source: Chronicle News Service
Bishnupur, July 20 2023:
Borayangbi Gram Panchayat Apunba Meira Paibi Lup secretary Leis-hangthem Indubala has alleged that since the crisis broke out on May 3 the Assam Rifles has not been showing any seriousness in preventing Kuki militants from attacking Meetei villages and village volunteers.
Addressing a press meet at Chairel Mang-jing on Thursday, L Indubala claimed to have drone video footage showing AR personnel and Kuki militants staying in close Vicinity.
The footages also show Kuki militants setting up bunkers close to Chairel Mangjing, Khoijumantabi, Napat, Pombikhok and Tangjeng villages under Bishnupur district and continuously firing towards the said villages since July 1, the same day wherein three village volunteers were killed, she said.
Mentioning that in past few days the villagers could spot Indian flags hoisted in bunkers supposed to be occupied by Kuki militants, Indubala stated that on seeing the flags they were at ease that central forces were there for protection of the villagers.
However, the sense of relief dissipated as attacks were launched on the villages and bunkers of village volunteers.
She also lamented that due to such frequent attacks by the Kuki militants with the AR troops standing at mute witnesses the villagers have not been able to take up farming and many have left their villages for safer places.
Indubala also raised posers on the AR's hesitancy to act against the Kuki militants and wondered by the central forces are unable to check cross border infiltration and plantation of poppy by destroying reserved forests and challenging Manipur's integrity.
She also maintained that the prevailing situation will not normalise unless the state and central governments do not remove AR from the state as well as flush out the illegal Kukis.
Also present at the press meet, Chairel Mangjing Youth Club former president So-rokhaibam Maniinatum appealed to the government to deploy state forcesat Chairel Mangjing, Khoijumantabi, Pombikhok, Na-at, Tangjeng, Chandonpokpi, etc., which have faced relentlessly attacks since May 27 .