Demand for AR's removal unabated
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 30 2024: Amid allegations of Assam Rifles taking side with Kuki militants in the current crisis in Manipur, public demand for removal of Assam Rifles from the state and replacing them with other Central security forces continues unabated.

On Tuesday, Nupi Khun-nai Meira Paibi, Liwa Lambi Bokul Makhong, and Heirangoithong Meira Paibi Lup jointly addressed a press meet demanding removal of Assam Rifles from the state.

They also demanded explanation on the silence of the 50 MLAs including the CM when the 10 Kuki MLAs openly challenge identity and integrity of the state.

Addressing the media at Manipur Press Club, Nupi Khun-nai Meira Paibi Lup advisor Kh Sashimukhi said that Assam Rifles may have been deployed for protecting the lives and properties of the public, but its personnel have become enemy of the indigenous people and no longer be trusted as they openly take side with Kuki militants.

The crisis in the state has been continuing for the last 15 months.

Even a retired senior officer of a Central security force had said that the peace and solution cannot prevail in Manipur as long as a particular central paramilitary force operates in the state.

The retired senior officer, with apparent reference to the Assam Rifles, said that peace could prevail in the state only after removal of the said force, which has good ties with Kuki militants, she pointed out and demanded the Central government to take up appropriate actions against the Kuki militants, who are creating chaos and violence in the state.

On the other hand, she said, the way the chief minister is acting is not satisfactory to the people.

She demanded an explanation from the remaining 50 MLAs including the CM for their silence when the 10 Kuki MLAs could openly challenge the identity and integrity of the state.

She asked if they could continue to hold their post when the people are all killed and why the government is targeting the village volunteers instead of flushing out the Kuki militants.

Meanwhile, All Andro Meira Paibi Association, as part of the movement of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, organised a sit-in protest at the association's office premises on Tuesday demanding removal of Assam Rifles from the state.

The protestors alleged Assam Rifles of favouring one side in the crisis instead of controlling the situation.

They highlighted instances of Assam Rifles causing hurdles to state police and CRPF in carrying out operation in Kuki militants' hideouts in response to deadly attacks on state force and CRPF teams at multiple locations, while calling such incidents as example of AR favouring Kuki militants.

They demanded the legislators to take a united stand and make necessary arrangements to replace Assam Rifles by another Central security force.

Earlier on Saturday, Assam Rifles DG Lieutenant General PC Nair dismissed reports suggesting that Assam Rifles has been biased in its operations in Manipur since May 3 last year.

He described these reports as baseless rumours and falsehoods, driven by specific agendas.

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