YFPHR questions efficiency of central forces
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 19 2024:
Youth's Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) has raised serious concerns over the escalating violence in the state and the involvement of Kuki militants in a series of civilian killings.
The organisation expressed disbelief at the continuation of these heinous acts despite the presence of over 60,000 central forces, including Sikh Regiment, Maha Regiment, Assam Rifles, and others deployed across Manipur.
In a press statement, the Forum highlighted several incidents of killing unarmed civilians by the Kuki militants despite the presence of these central forces.
The incidents of killing civilians under the very nose of central security forces, as outlined by the Forum, include three civilians, including a father and son duo in Kwakta Lamkhai on August 5 last year; shooting a 15-year-old girl in Koutruk on September 8; bullet wound leading to death of a housewife in Kangchup area on November 17; killing of four unarmed firewood collectors in Haotak village on January 10; and killing of four civilians including a father-son duo in Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou on January 18 .
YFPHR contended that these incidents are indicative of a larger problem of a possible potential nexus between central forces and Kuki militants, suggesting that the Government of India may have economic interests in perpetuating the violence in Manipur.
The organisation called upon the Government of India to uphold the Indigenous Peoples' Right to Life and Self-Determination, and demanded immediate action to halt the killing of civilians, apprehend the perpetrators, withdraw central armed forces from Manipur, and put an end to militarisation in the state.