Villagers decry arson at Torbung
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 23 2023:
While decrying the act of burning down 12 more houses by Kuki militants and their supporters at Torbung last night where Assam Rifles and other Central forces are deployed, villagers of Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai have urged the State Government and the Centre to deploy adequate number of State forces in the area so as to protect Meitei civilians from Kuki militants.
The COCOMI has also condemned the arson and attack in the strongest terms.
Speaking to media persons at a place located between Torbung Sabal Maning Leikai and Phougakchao Mamang Leikai this afternoon, local villagers said that a large number of Kuki people led by Kuki militants attacked Torbung Sabal Maning Leikai by opening indiscriminate fire including mortar shells last night before burning down several Meitei houses.
Saying that Assam Rifles and other Central forces are deployed in the area, the local villagers decried that the Central forces did not stop the Kuki militants and their supporters which included women and numbered around 1400/1500 from attacking the Meitei villages and torching a dozen houses.
There are a number of Kuki villages around the Meitei villages of Torbung, Bangla, Kangvai and Phougakchao Ikhai.
As a large number of Kuki militants are camping at these Kuki villages, the displaced Meitei people are afraid of going back to their homes.
Moreover, they are unable to go to paddy fields, said the villagers.
Meitei people will suffer heavy casualties if there is even a minor lapse on the part of the limited number of State forces guarding the Meitei villages.
As such, there is an urgent need to deploy adequate number of State forces at Torbung, Bangla, Kangvai, Phougakchai and other Meitei villages, they said.
A team of COCOMI which came to Torbung to enquire about the wellbeing of the displaced people asserted that the Central forces are either unable or have no intention to protect Meitei villagers as indicated by the Kuki militants' daring attacks at Torbung and Phougakchao.
Questioning the failure of the Central forces to stop the 1400/1500 strong Kuki marauders led by Kuki militants from attacking Meitei villages and setting several houses on fire, COCOMI Assistant Coordinator Joychandra maintained that the task of controlling the Kuki militants be entrusted to the people of Manipur if the Government of India and the Central security forces are not in a position to neutralise the Kuki militants.
The Government of India ought to work sincerely to contain the violence, Joychandra expressed strong disapproval against the complete silence of Central leaders including the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.
Targeting Meitei people for opposing the demand raised by Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists from Myanmar for creation of a separate administration or homeland out of Manipur cannot be vindicated under any circumstances, he added.
The COCOMI team also presented relief materials to the relief camps opened at Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai and Awang Leikai.