All barricades removed lie exposed
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, September 15 2023: Locals in Bishnupur have refuted the claim of police that all barricades set up between Phougakchao Ikhai and Phougakchao Ikhai Makha Leikai (Kangvai) along Tiddim road have been removed after taking out a inspection drive along the road stretch today.

Speaking to the media, one of the locals of Phougakchao Ikhai said that the barricade on the bridge of Phougakchao Ikhai Bazar was found 'removed' but the claim that all barricades upto Kangvai have been removed is an exaggeration' .

Saying that they found the barbed wire at the junction of Phougakchao Ikhai Thokchom Leikai still intact and another one some metres ahead, he said that the Central security forces also park their casspir vehicles at Phougakchao Thongkhong, Phougakchao Mayai Leikai etc every evening and prevent movement of people.

Asking the Government to come to their place and see for themselves all the barricades set up by the Central forces, the local said that the security forces don't even allow the displaced Meetei families from Torbung to visit their place.

Apart from Tiddim Road, the security forces have erected a barricade at the junction of Phougakchao Ikhai Thokchom Leikai, he said and asked the Government to stop misleading the people at once.

Another local who took part in the inspection said that displaced people are still not allowed to enter their villages by the security forces despite the claim that all barricades have been removed.

Claiming that there is no break in the hostile campaign of the Kuki militants despite the deployment of large companies of Central forces along Tiddim Road and Torbung Gram Panchayat, he said that Meeteis don't feel safe even in the presence of Central forces as many houses have already been burnt right under their (Central forces) nose.

He claimed that the Central forces prevented the displaced people of Torbung from going back to their houses at Kangvai Bazar today too.

Claiming that the security forces treated them like outsiders while stopping them, he said that the Central forces might have a hidden agenda amid the violence.

The Meeteis are not allowed to enter their villages but the armed Kuki militants from Churachandpur continue to roam freely in Kangvai area, he claimed and asked Chief Minister N Biren Singh to monitor the unfolding situation at Phougakchao Ikhai and other sensitive areas and do the needful at the earliest.

Normalcy will return in Manipur if the Central forces treat everyone equally and put all their resources in fighting the war-mongers, he said and added that normalcy will remain elusive if the security forces continue to take sides.

A woman who was part of the inspection team claimed that the Central forces don't take adequate security measures at sensitive areas.

She also claimed that the Central forces always patrol Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai, Thokchom Leikai, Abujam Leirak etc instead of guarding the areas which can be used by Kuki militants in launching attacks.

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