Permanent MR or IRB Bn at Serou : Ranjit
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, June 14 2023: Sugnu AC MLA K Ranjit has stated that a permanent battalion of either Manipur Rifles or IRB will be set up at Serou Lamkhai to restore peace and normalcy at Serou, Sugnu, Napat and other adjacent villages.

He made the remark during an inspection tour at relief camps set up at Heirok Higher Secondary School for the displaced people of Serou, Sugnu and other places, today.

Speaking to the media, the MLA continued that the process to set up the battalion is underway after taking due approval from Governor Anusuiya Uikey.

K Ranjit said that the primary objective of the security measure is to take up the rehabilitation and resettlement works of the people who fled following the attack by militants armed with sophisticated weapons in the early hours of May 28 .

The MLA maintained that a peace committee of Sugnu AC and neighbouring areas of Chandel, Churachandpur and Bishnpur was set up in the initial stage of the conflict and there were no cases of any violence in the area before May 28.He went on to state that Kuki people safely handed over 90 Meeteis working at D Lhongkhai Village, T Seljang Village and Singhao Village to the peace committee on May 10 .

Stating that additional security forces were also deployed in the areas in advance as the militants could launch their attack any moment, K Ranjit said that the figure of casualty in the May 28 attack could have been much higher if the security measures had not been taken up.

Continuing that the security forces have taken control of the areas in Sugnu, Serou and Napat which were earlier occupied by Kuki militants, the Congress leader claimed that there are no places in the Sugnu-Serou area which can be attacked by the Kuki militants again.

Resettlement and rehabilitation of the displaced people from Serou and Napat would take some time as many houses have been burnt down in the attack, he conveyed and continued that people from Sugnu other than elders, sick, and about 15 families whose houses have been torched can now return to their places.

Claiming that there are lapses on the part of the Chief Minister to end the violence in the State, the Congress MLA maintained that the Chief Minister not convening an all political party meeting even after so many people have been killed is a big blunder.

"If the meeting is convened then all the political parties can take a collective decision and place 'our demand' to the President and the Prime Minister," K Ranjit said.

The MLA further said that he would head to Delhi shortly to seek an audience with the Prime Minister along with the representatives of other like-minded parties.

Claiming that the 10 MLAs who demanded a separate administration for Chin-Kuki lack understanding of the Indian Constitution, K Ranjit alleged that these 10 MLAs won the Assembly elections with the help of Kuki militant groups and as such they couldn't defy their command.

Thanking Heirok AC MLA Dr Thokchom Radheshyam for opening the relief centre for the displaced folks, K Ranjit said that there is no bigger religion then to help people in need.

The Congress MLA also thanked the security forces for evacuating about 3000 people from his Constituency to safer sites.

Later, K Ranjit donated Rs 50,000 to the relief centre at Heirok Higher Secondary School.

Dr Th Radheshyam also took part in the inspection tour.

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