Let volunteers and MPA guard villages: Meira Paibis to Govt
Trust in security forces gone?
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, December 17 2025: Decrying that both Central forces and State forces could not face or repulse armed Kukis when they attacked Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai on December 16 evening, local Meira Paibis have urged the Government to open a camp of Pambei-led UNLF, and let MPA and village volunteers guard the area.

A public meeting was held today at Phougakchao community hall on the unprovoked attack carried out by armed Kukis on Tuesday against Meitei villagers.

The meeting was participated by representatives of Indigenous People Organisation Manipur (IPOM), Anouba Senmitlon, Progressive Alliance for Leadership and Empowerment of Mothers (PALEM), Meitei Pangal Council Manipur (MPCM), Manipur People's Front (MPF), World Meitei Organisation (WMO), Yelhoumi Kanba Lup (YEMKAL), people of Phougakchao Ikhai, Torbung and nearby villages.

Let volunteers and MPA guard villages: Meira Paibis to Govt

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, local Meira Paibi leader Keithellakpam Kegesana said that Meiteis did not fire a single bullet after the violent clashes which erupted on May 3, 2023 ceased.

In the meantime, all the guns in the possession of Meitei village volunteers were either surrendered or impounded by the Government.

Even as a few families started resettling at their homes at Torbung on Tuesday, armed Kukis unleashed a volley of bullets and bombs with a sinister design to deter the displaced families from coming back to their homes.

But neither the Central forces nor State forces responded promptly and effectively to the attack.

Moreover, State forces are unable to reach Torbung, Kegesana said.

She urged the Government to open a camp of the Pambei-led UNLF at the red zone and let them guard the villages in place of the Central and State security forces.

Notably, the Pambei-led UNLF is in the process of a peace talk with the Government of India.

Even though it is said that the Central and State forces are deployed in the area for the security of villagers, they did not respond effectively when the Meitei villages came under heavy attack from armed Kukis last night nor there is any report of the arrest of Kuki aggressors so far, she decried.

She said that the PR administration and the Central security forces have failed miserably to check the violent and unlawful activities of armed Kukis and their supporters.

Meanwhile, a team of COCOMI led by its convenor Khuraijam Athouba today visited the sites where armed Kukis unleashed a volley of bullets and bombs last night.

Strongly condemning the unprovoked attack against innocent civilians who have just come back home after being displaced for a long time, Athouba underscored the need for sensitization on security and massive operations.

He said that the Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur must give a detailed explanation for the unprovoked attack.

The COCOMI convenor also took strong exception to the statement made by the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) publicity secretary which attempted to rationalise the attack.

He said that legal action must be initiated and the KZC must be banned for supporting and inciting violence.

Athouba said that COCOMI has filed a complaint with the Bishnupur SP to take necessary legal action against KZC publicity secretary Ginza Vualzong.

It is understandable Kukis attacked the innocent villagers for they fear that resettlement of IDPs will completely derail their demand, he said.

Athouba then appealed to all the IDPs not to be dismayed by such attacks, and assured that COCOMI will make all necessary arrangements including security for resettlement of more IDPs wherever possible.