Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi District general secretary Thangminlen Kipgen, who was one of signatories to the agreement, alleged that instead of honouring the agreement, the Assam Rifles was trying to portray the deceased as a member of an underground militant group, not a civilian.
TFM Kangpokpi Representative
Assam Rifles authority seemed to backtrack on its obligations under the four-point agreement in connection with the infamous Chalwa killing. The authority is trying to project victim Mangboilal Lhouvum as a member of the underground militant outfit, alleged civil society organisations.
Mangboilal Lhouvum, a father of four was allegedly murdered by Major Alok Sathe, Post Commander of 44 Assam Rifles, E Company of Gelnel village Banglabung outpost on June 4 evening. To placate irate villagers protesting the alleged murder, a four-point agreement was inked between the Assam Rifles authority, the state police, and civil society organizations of Kangpokpi on June 5.
As per the agreement, a thorough investigation will be initiated into the incident involving an alleged person(s) of 44 AR E Coy be initiated immediately by the police; the present Company of 44 AR Banglabung Outpost will be removed or replaced by the same company as in Kangpokpi District Headquarters at the earliest after approval from Army HQ, New Delhi; a fully functional armed Police Station in the area with 40 strength minimum will be set up at the earliest and the Assam Rifles will compensate for the loss of life to the deceased family an amount of Rs.10,00,000/- on the humanitarian ground which Rs. 1,00,000/- will be given instantly.
Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi District general secretary Thangminlen Kipgen, who was one of signatories to the agreement, alleged that instead of honouring the agreement, the Assam Rifles was trying to portray the deceased as a member of an underground militant group, not a civilian.
He expressed surprise at how the Assam Rifles dishonored the agreement signed in the presence of Commander 22 Sector Assam Rifles, ADGP Manipur, SDO Tujang Waichong, and CSOs.
Addressing media persons at KSO Sadar Hills office in Kangpokpi town, Thangminlen Kipgen said that the victim’s family and the CSOs were hurt while the Assam Rifles is trying to change the direction of the investigation by tainting the image of the deceased Mangboilal.
“Don’t tag civilian Mangboilal Lhouvum as a member of the underground militant outfit until proven by the court to subside the issue,” he asserted.
He then urged the Assam Rifles to sincerely fulfill the points of agreement to regain the trust that they have lost among the people while adding that the CSOs are always ready to assist in ways they can assist them but it will be very unfortunate and undesirable if the Assam Rifles continue to find other means to fulfill their vested agenda.
Thangminlen Kipgen also said that the CSOs Sadar Hills Kangpokpi reminded the state Government to immediately fulfill their agreement by activating and make functional the Chalwa Police station with 40 strength capacity as agreed in the agreement while assuring that the people of Twilang are ready to provide them land, fooding, and are a necessity to make the police station functional within few days.
Saying that witnesses of the Chalwa killing and the victim’s family may be in trouble, he demanded security protection for them.
After the Chalwa killing, a post went viral in the social media with Assam Rifles claiming that the deceased Mangboilal Lhouvum was a member of the Kuki Revolutionary Army, under Suspension of Operations. However, the outfit rejected the claim and clarified that the deceased whatsoever has no connection with the outfit and it has nothing to do with the deceased.
The wife of the deceased and the people of the area also affirmed that the deceased Mangboilal Lhouvum was an innocent civilian and a daily wage earner.
Meanwhile, the people of Twilang area and civil society organisations of Kangpokpi district staged a protest against the Assam Rifles for not honouring the agreement.
“Assam Rifles honour your agreement”, ” We want justice”, shouted the enraged protestors today at Chalwa democratic sit-in protest organised under the aegis of Kuki Inpi Twilang block and Kuki Students’ Organisation Twilang block.
“We are compelled to stage the democratic protest sit-in to display our discontentment upon the Assam Rifles for not honouring the agreement even 11 days after gruesome murder”, said Enock Kipgen, president KSO Sadar Hills.
Boinem, wife of Chalwa Chief said, “We want justice and the Assam Rifles must honour the agreement if they truly are the friends of the hill people.”
Kuki Inpi Twilang block president, Kamlal Kipgen said, “Though we live in a remote hill area, we know our rights and the Assam Rifles must respect our rights to live.”