Stop the partisan conduct, COCOMI advises
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 13 2023: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has warned that all the atrocities committed by Assam Rifles would be revealed before the whole world if the paramilitary force does not stop supporting narco-terrorists.

Questioning what compelled the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Kangla in 2004, a statement issued by COCOMI said that there are numerous incidents of atrocities committed by AR troops upon the people of Manipur.

There were also many noble and commendable deeds of AR.

However, the integrity and reputation have been let down by some battalions/companies.

This must be known to the IG AR (South), it asserted.

Although it is said that the AR troops are here to help the State Government maintain law and order, they are acting as if they are above the State Government and they have been fiddling with the affairs of the State.

As a result, people's abhorrence and anger against Assam Rifles have gone to the extreme.

After it was confirmed that some Kukis from Myanmar who sustained bullet and splinter injuries were treated at Churachandpur district hospital in the midst of the gun battles fought between narco-terrorists and Manipur Police, Assam Rifles said that they intercepted the Myanmarese at the border and 10 Myanmarese were given passage to India due to medical emergency, and the same was reported in the Hindu.

The AR troops, like other security forces, must protect the bonafide citizens of the country.

However, they have been maintaining a close bond with the narco-terrorists, the COCOMI said.

It then asked whether the AR troops have any authority to allow entry of Myanmar Nationals into India (Manipur) without the knowledge of the Government of Manipur.

Further questioning if the AR troops are entrusted with a secret agenda by the Government of India to promote narco-terrorists, the COCOMI pointed out that the free movement regime of up to 16 Kms that existed between Myanmar and India was abolished by the State Government some time back.

The people of Manipur strongly condemn the way the AR has been supporting a particular side in the ongoing conflict.

Rebuttals and clarifications issued by Assam Rifles which looked like supporting Myanmarese Kukis, and the way they have been acting like a political party or a Government is an insult to the State Government and the rule of law, it alleged.

Since the very beginning of the crisis, Kuki militants were directly involved but the AR was acting ignorant.

It was right under the nose of AR troops that many Meitei people were killed and a large number of their houses were burnt down in Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi on May 3, it said.

Again, when several Meitei houses were burnt down by Kuki militants including Myanmarese Kukis at Serou, AR troops acted as mute spectators.

However, when the villagers and State forces retaliated, AR troops came out of their camp and tried to save the narco-terrorists which included CDF militants, it said.

People saw very vividly how Kuki militants including Myanmarese Kukis ran into Assam Rifles camp when civilians retaliated to their offensive, it continued.

Transporting a huge quantity of arms and ammunition by Assam Rifles to Churachandpur a few days back in the name of arrival of additional personnel was highly suspicious because weapons are always issued to AR personnel when they are sent on duty.

People cannot help but suspect the presence of narco-terrorists in the midst of AR troops.

AR troops' failure to react in time when narco-terrorists attacked commando personnel at Nepali Basti, Moreh right in front of their eyes bred strong resentment among the people, it said.

Moreover, much before the current crisis erupted, there were several instances of attacking police personnel at Moreh, police pickets were burnt down and shots were fired at the gate of police station, but Assam Rifles posted at the border town did not take up a single tangible action against these criminal and unlawful activities.

There were also several instances of AR troops taking away Kuki militants after they were arrested by Moreh police.

Further, there were many drug seizure cases where AR personnel were involved.

For all these reasons, the people have a strong suspicion that the Assam Rifles has a nexus with the Kuki narco-terrorists, it said.

The COCOMI then urged the Government of India and the State Government to withdraw all Assam Rifles troops from Manipur.

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