Sit-ins demand removal of Assam Rifles from state
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 12 2023:
Iroisemba Youth Development Club and Iroisemba Apunba Meira Paibi Lup under the aegis of All Manipur United Club's Organisation (AMUCO), organised a sit-in protest at Iroisemba Mayai Leikai on Tuesday, demanding the removal of Assam Rifles from Manipur.
During the sit-in, the protestors held placards inscribed with the slogans like "Go Back Assam Rifles", "No Assam Rifles in Manipur", "We condemn Assam Rifles' actions", and "Remove Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists from Manipur".
Speaking on the sidelines, one of the protestors cautioned that the people's patience is running thin with Assam Rifles continuing to be one-sided and brutally beating up Meetei women and children in addition to killing Meetei civilians.
Assam Rifles' attitude has been made clear through the incidents at Kangvai, Phougakchao and most recently Pallel.
Instead of trying to maintain peace between the communities, Assam Rifles is instigating the violence by taking sides.
They are not interested in protecting the people of Manipur, the protestor remarked and urged for removing the force from Manipur completely.
Another sit-in was staged by Khabam Lamkhai Meira Paibi Apunba Lup, Khabam Chumbrei Thong at Khabam on Tuesday, according to AMUCO secretary (organisation) Santosh Koijam.
The secretary contended that Assam Rifles, instead of carrying out their duty to protect the people and their property and check border infiltrations, has taken sides in the ethnic conflict, in addition to firing at civilians indiscriminately.
On being objected, AR often blocks the roads with Casper vehicles to prevent the state forces from executing their duties.
Armed Kukis are allowed to set up bunkers near AR camps.
Thus, they have become the public's enemy and should be completely removed from Manipur, the secretary elaborated while urging the union home minister and the state government to replace the AR with unbiased forces at the earliest and help in the rehabilitation of all those displaced by the conflict.