Give stern, fitting response : FOCS
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 14 2024: Kuki militants' relentless attack on civilian settlements in Jiribam killing a personnel of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) must be given a befitting response, said Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) today as it condemned the Central security forces for not taking up visible steps to stop the onslaught.

The situation in Jiribam district is tense, and armed Kuki militants are continuously attacking Meitei settlements.

Despite their large presence in the district, the Central security forces, on the other hand, have not taken up any effective actions to stop the attacks, said FOCS in a statement.

Jiribam, which has been peaceful for most part of the 14-month-old conflict, plunged into turmoil after a Meitei farmer, S Saratkumar was abducted and murdered by Kuki militants on June 6 .

Nearly a hundred houses have been burnt and thousands of people including women and children have been internally displaced.

While the situation was tense in Jiribam, Kuki militants renewed their attacks on civilian settlements recently.

Yesterday evening, Kuki militants burnt down the house and properties of a Meitei man at Leingangpokpi.

The house belonged to N Sadananda Meitei, advisor of Jiri Development Organisation (JDO) .

FOCS said the house was located some 100 metres from an Assam Rifles post, but it didn't deter the armed militants from attacking and burning it.

FOCS said the house was merely 100 metres from an AR post and only 7-8 kilometres from Jiribam DHQs.

There are thousands of Central security forces deployed in Jiribam, but they have failed to curb violence and allowed Kuki militants to launch attacks on Meitei settlements and houses, it added.

These incidents, FOCS said, have raised suspicion if the Central security forces are in cahoots with the Kuki militants to forcefully displace and cleanse the district of Meiteis.

FOCS continued that the armed Kukis are continuously attacking Meitei settlements in Mongbung, and they have killed a personnel of the CAPF.

While bullets were fired by Kuki militants from Keijang village, combing operations were conducted at Meitei village of Kalinagar which is surprising and appalling, FOCS said.

The attack on civilians and the killing of the CAPF personnel are truly acts of terrorism.

These must not go unpunished.

The Central security forces must not remain silent.

It should give a befitting response to the attack, said FOCS.

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