Clamour for withdrawal of AR gets louder
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 13 2023: Even as the Assam Rifles' September 8 "brutal crackdown'' on protesters near Pallel bridge that killed two civilians continued to draw strong criticism, the demand for removal of the entire force from Manipur has gained momentum and getting louder.

With Meira Paibi spearheading, massive agitations against Assam Rifles were held across the valley.

Today, a massive sit-in protest against "Assam Rifles' brutal assault on Meitei civilians" was held at Wangoi Bazar.

Supported by the Youth Development Union Club, the sit-in protest was attended by members of Meira Paibi from Wangoi, Samu-rou, Naorem, Oinam Sa- wombung, Wangoi Pangal, Khaidem, Leiphrakpam, Laiphrakpam Wangma, Iram Siphai, Yumnam Huidrom, Wangoi Kabui, Thiyam, Thongkhong and Luxmi Bazar.

Clamour for withdrawal of AR gets louder

During the sit-in, the protesters held placards that read "Remove the infamous Assam Rifles from the soil of Manipur'', "We condemn Assam Rifles and their brutalities on Meitei civilians'', "No more trips to Delhi'', "Call PM Modi here", "Enough is enough'' etc.

On the sideline of the protest demonstration, a Meira Paibi leader said that the Assam Rifles not only cracked down on protesters "brutally" but also "shot at them" .

The conduct of the Assam Rifles in the conflict has become controversial.

The force is "biased against the Meiteis", she alleged.

"On September 8 at Pallel, in the name of controlling a mob, the Assam Rifles personnel fired tear gas shells and live bullets at unarmed men and women killing two civilians and injuring several others.

The use of excessive force was uncalled for and this incident should be probed to punish all AR personnel and officers involved," she said.

She continued that the Pallel incident was not the first instance where the Assam Rifles had been seen using "lethal force" against women protesters.

The conduct of the Assam Rifles amid the conflict has "tainted" the face of the Indian Army and other associated Central paramilitary forces as well, she said.

While the Assam Rifles has claimed that they have been acting impartially in the conflict, they have, in many instances, stopped fellow security forces from performing their bounden duty, she said.

They had their vehicles block the gates of Sugnu police station in the early part of the conflict and they had "stopped" Bishnupur police including the Superintendent of Police from pursuing suspected Kuki militants who had killed three Meitei people who were sleeping at their homes, she said.

"While the Assam Rifles didn't allow the police enter the so-called buffer zone, which they said was to maintain peace and security, under their watchful eyes, Kuki militants had snuck inside the buffer zone and killed three sleeping men.

These are the security measures they have been putting in place," she said.

She further asserted that "amid the conflict, the Assam Rifles has been acting like a media cell of the Kuki CSOs and militants" .

"Manipur has suffered much in the hands of the Assam Rifles for decades under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

There are thousands of alleged fake encounter cases registered against them.

Men have been killed and women have been raped.

"An entire community questioning the role of the Assam Rifles and the instances of standoff that have taken place between them and the State forces speak volume.

Such forces which do not enjoy the trust of the people should be removed immediately," she said.

Instead of venting out their anger at the people by using extreme force for raising voice against them [AR], they should instead ponder and take up efforts to gain the trust of the people, she added.

Meanwhile, the Meira Paibis of Sunushiphai Mamang, Mayai and Maning Leikai staged mass protest demonstration against Assam Rifles at Sunushiphai Keithel yesterday.

Womenfolk held placards that read "Go back Assam Rifles", "We condemn AR killing innocents" "Scrap SoO with Kuki militant groups" and "Remove AR who kill innocent civilians" .

The womenfolk condemned the "brutal" Pallel incident in the strongest terms.

During the protest, the Meira Paibis handed monetary assistance to the mother of H Somokanta, who sustained bullet injury in the crackdown at Pallel.

H Bilasini, mother of H Somokanta, said her son is at present receiving treatment at Raj Medicity in Imphal and his condition is said to be serious.

He was hit by a bullet on his stomach.

H Somokanta is a daily wage earner and the breadwinner of the family, she said.

"My son is not the only one who has fallen victim to the present violent conflict.

Many brave sons of the soil have been killed and many have been injured.

Like all the mothers who have suffered losses, I am proud that my son was able to contribute his share to the people's movement," she said.

Similar protest was also held at Naranseina Market Shed yesterday.

During the protest organised by the Women Development Association, the womenfolk raised slogans against the Assam Rifles and demanded the Government to remove the entire force from Manipur and scrap the SoO agreement signed with Kuki militants.The protesters urged the Government and the authorities concerned to sack officers and personnel of the AR involved in the "brutal" Pallel crackdown.