AR accused of differential treatment
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, September 09 2023: Questioning sincerity of Assam Rifles in the context of the on-going ethnic violence, Wangjing Hodamba Awang Leikai Meira Paibi and local club ESWYC accused the AR is inaction when Kuki mobs vandalised and burned houses of Meeteis in Moreh but bared their fangs against the unarmed women of Meetei community.

Addressing a press meet at the local club on Saturday, Meira Paibi secretary Shyamola Adhikarimayum said that the AR personnel posted in Moreh town did nothing to stop Kuki mobs from burning down Meetei houses in the evening of May 3 .

Similarly, Assam Rifles posted in Pallel area did nothing to stop Kuki militants when they attacked Meetei on their way from Moreh in Bijoypur and Laimanai areas.

Only if they had responded befittingly against the Kuki mobs, Meeteis in Moreh could have been saved and would never had to leave their homes.

Such partisan act on the part of Assam Rifles is one of the reasons why the force is facing charges of taking side with the Kukis, she said.

The secretary further said that several Meira Paibi members were injured in Friday's Pallel incident after Assam Rifles personnel fired smoke bombs, tear gas shells and live bullets as well as physical assault by women personnel of AR consequently leading in many Meetei women suffering injuries.

Joining the media briefing, ESWYC advisor Akela Abujam said that large number of women from different parts of the state thronged Pallel holding Indian National Flag fofiowihg reports of an armed attack by Kuki militants upon Meetei residents in Pallel.

They were stopped by Assam Rifles near Bijoypur and Laimanai Chingjin due to which the women protestors requested the AR team to allow them to enter to rescue the stranded civilians.

As the women tried to breach the barricade, the AR team used force including firing live bullets, in which two civilians were killed.

The AR personnel also did nothing to rescue women hit by bullets as they fell on the ground holding the Tricolour as if their lives have no value, he said, while asking if Meeteis are no longer considered Indian citizens.

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