"Allegations against Col Akash baseless"
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 30 2024:
The United Committee of Pukhao and Makeng-Dolaithabi has urged the Government to take no notice of the demand being raised by some Kuki organi- sations to remove Colonel Akash as the Commanding Officer of 18 Assam Rifles.
Speaking to the media at Sagolmang Khewa Community Hall today, committee president Thokchom Sanjoy said that the charges being levelled against Col Akash by Kuki organisations in connection with the Kha-menlok firing incident of January 27 is baseless.
He claimed that the accusation of the Kuki organi- sation reflects their aspiration to deploy only those Assam Rifles troops which would work in their interest.
Saying that the people of Sagolmang and Pukhao support the demand being raised by several organisations and local clubs to withdraw Assam Rifles from Manipur, Sanjoy maintained that Col Akash, however, should not be removed alone ahead of withdrawing the entire paramilitary force from the State.
Continuing that 22 Assam Rifles which was earlier deployed at Saikul took the side of Kukis and Meetei villages such as Pukhao, Ikou, Yengkhuman and Dolaithabi were frequently attacked at that time, he contended that normalcy gradually return at Meetei villages near Saikul range after Col Akash was assigned as the Commanding Officer of 18 Assam Rifles.