Locals stage protest demanding withdrawal of Para Commandos
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, July 25 2023:
A sit-in protest was staged at Chandrakhong Village Community Hall in Thoubal district today demanding the withdrawal of Para Commandos who have been stationed at Tangkhul Khullen, a neighbouring village of Chandrakhong since yesterday.
'The stationing of Para Commandos in the village in an apprehensive manner has caused fear and anxiety among the villagers thereby disrupting the peaceful environment of the village', said the protestors of Chandrakhong Village.
Speaking on behalf of the villagers, Chandrakhong Social Welfare Club Chandrakhong (CSWC) Secretary S Pholenjit sought the attention of higher authorities concerned to withdraw the Para Commandos from Tangkhul Khullen which have caused great disturbance in the peaceful environment of the village.
He maintained that Chandrakhong Phanjakhong area has been in a harmonious state under the watchful eyes of State Police forces like IRB however there is a wave of fear and panic among the villagers with the stationing of Para Commandos in nearby areas with some villagers even fleeing from the village.
He also urged the Central and State Government to resolve the crisis at the earliest.
Leader of Chandrakhong Meira paibi Lup Khangembam Apanbi while speaking at the protest, said that the villagers who fled the village due to the ongoing conflict just started returning to their homes however with the stationing of Para Commandos just 300 metres away from Chandrakhong has created fresh tension among the villagers.
Stating that the mayhem in Manipur is caused by the atrocities of Kuki militants who have violated Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact ground rules, she said that the Meiteis in the valleys are only defending themselves from such offensives.
Placards which read 'Stop narco-terrorism', 'Stop Divide and Rule Policy', 'We want peace', 'Withdraw Para Commandos', 'Save Indigenous people' etc were used by the protestors.