Assam Rifles supporting Kukis to escalate violence in Manipur, alleges COCOMI

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 4, 2024

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a joint body of Meitei civil society organisations in Manipur, on Sunday said the letter of 10 MLAs proved that the Assam Rifles is supporting Kuki-Zomi-Hmar to escalate violence in Manipur.

The COCOMI’s statement came two days after 10 Kuki-zomi, Hmar MLA wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the replacement of Assam Rifles by CRPF.

10 Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs of Manipur on Saturday sought the intervention of PM Modi to ensure that Assam Rifles continue to guard the sensitive areas of violence-torn Manipur and are not replaced by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Kuki MLAs wrote to PM after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided to withdraw the 9th and 22nd battalions, Assam Rifles (ar) by replacing them with CRPF.

In a statement on Sunday, COCOMI media coordinator Yumkhaibam Surjit Khuman accused the Assam Rifles of bias in the ongoing conflict. “The violence that began on May 3, resulting in 15 deaths, prompted the state government to request additional paramilitary forces due to insufficient security. Various central forces, including CRPP, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Jat Regiment, and Gorkha Regiment, have been deployed.

“Despite this, dissatisfaction with the Assam Rifles persists, with allegations of partiality,” he said.

COCOMI also criticized the Assam Rifles, claiming their actions have worsened the conflict situation in the state.

The organization accuses the AR of supporting narco-terrorists involved in illegal activities such as poppy cultivation and border smuggling, suggesting that these actions highlight the AR’s lack of neutrality.

“In contrast, Kuki organizations, including Kuki Inpi, ITLF, and COTU, have protested against the replacement of the Assam Rifles, supporting their continued deployment. These groups and Ye Kuki MLAs have submitted memorandums opposing the AR’s replacement,” he also said.

“COCOMI and the public continue to express frustration, demanding impartial and effective intervention to address the unrest and ensure fair security measures,” he further said.

“Recent suspicions about the Assam Rifles siding with a particular group have emerged. As no protests were reported when o her central forces, such as CRPF, BSF, Jat Regiment, and Gorkha Regiment, withdrew from the area. This situation has intensified concerns about the Assam Rifles’ role in the conflict”, he added.