Manipur: Pol parties bat for deployment of state forces to Jiribam

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 19, 2024

Five like-minded political parties of Manipur on Wednesday urged Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey for immediate deployment of state security forces at the riot-hit villages in Jiribam district as tension is still brewing between Kukis and Meteis even after 10 days of the violence erupted in the district.

Notably, Kuki civil organisations have been demanding the removal of state security forces and deploying central forces introducing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the district.

Trouble broke out in the Jirbam district, which was untouched by last year’s conflict, on June 6, after the alleged killing of a 59-year-old man by unidentified miscreants. In retaliation, angry residents set an abandoned building ablaze.

More than 200 civilians, mostly from the Meitei community and some from the Kuki-Zo community, were evacuated from their homes in Jiribam district and moved to a camp for internally displaced persons over the last two days.

In a memorandum to the Governor, the five political parties stated: “We urged to immediately deploy state security personnel at villages in Jiribam district from where villagers have fled for fear of attack and loss of lives so that they return to their villages from the relief camps. Similar arrangements may be made for other district headquarters in Churachandpur, Imphal, Kangpokpi and Moreh.”

“The Central security forces who are deployed in Jiribam were withdrawn for duty at the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections leaving remote villages without adequate security coverage. Life came to a standstill in the district. The people are willing to return their homes on the condition that state security forces are deployed to protect them,” the memorandum stated.

In a meeting held at Congress Bhawan in Imphal on June 17, like-minded political parties- Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Shiv Sena (UBT), JD(U), RSP, Maanipur, AIFB, Manipur, Manipur State Council- CPI, NCP(SP), CPI-M, AITC, Manipur and AAP Manipur expressed unhappiness over the protracted crisis and conflict which has been going on since June 6 forcing about 1,000 people from Lamtal, Khunou and neighbouring villages to flee Jiribam district headquarters and other places.

“The people are now sheltered in makeshift relief camps at the district headquarters and other places. 70 houses have been burnt down in the district,” the memorandum also stated.

“We also lamented at the ambush on chief minister N Biren Singh’s advanced escort party on their way to Jiribam at Kangpokpi district. “such an audacious act of attacking state security forces should be taken as a serious challenge to the authority of the state, and the miscreants should be brought to justice,” it said.

The political parties also said that the traffic on National Highway No 37 has been disrupted for more than 10 days due to insecurity. “The government should provide adequate escort for the movement of passenger vehicles, goods trucks and oil tankers carrying essential commodities on NH 37 and NH2 to ensure uninterrupted flow of essential goods to the state,” it added.

The memorandum was signed by MPCC president Meghachandra Singh, Shiv Sena (UBT) Manipur president T Devanada Singh, JD(U) Manipur president Kshetrimayum Biren Singh, RSP president Manoranjan Singh, AIFB secretary Kh Gyneswar Singh, CPI secretary L Thooren Singh, NCP president Soram Iboyaima Singh, CPI-M secretary Kshterimayum Santa, AITC convenor Thokchorn Inaocha Singh and AAP coordinator Thingnam Bishwanath Singh.