BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh said it would be better to remove central forces that are mostly present in Manipur as mute spectators. This inaction of the central forces simply encourages the “Kuki terrorists” to unleash terror to disturb any peace efforts in the state said the Meitei Alliance. Congress Legislature Party leader O Ibobi Singh said if bombs are dropped with the help of drones, it is a question of national security since the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s residence might not be safe.
TFM Desk
Many have voiced their strong displeasure over the central forces’ palpable failure to protect the lives, and properties of citizens and the Government of India’s inaction over the drone bombings by alleged “Kuki terrorists”. While BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh has shot off a letter to the Union Home Minister stating that it is better to remove such forces that are mostly present as mute spectators, the Congress wondered why the Centre remains silent on drone bombings by Kuki militants.
In the letter, RK Imo said it seems the presence of around 60000 central forces in Manipur is not yielding peace, thus it’s better to remove such forces that are mostly present as mute spectators. “We are pleased with the action to remove certain units of AR who were not cooperating with the State government and the public, but if the presence of these central forces cannot halt the violence, it is better to remove them and allow the State forces to take charge and bring peace in the State.
He said the people of Manipur want to see certain actions at the ground level to halt the violence immediately and work together to bring lasting peace to the region.
Meanwhile, Meitei Alliance said it is disheartening and deeply worrying that 70,000 central military and paramilitary forces deployed for counter-terrorism have failed to protect the lives, and properties of the citizens from the Kuki terrorists. This inaction of the central forces simply encourages the Kuki terrorists to unleash terror to disturb any peace efforts in the state, it said in a press statement issued on Monday.
Condemning “the heinous terror” unleashed by Kuki terrorists at Meitei villages of Koutruk and Kadangband of Imphal West district on September 1, 2024, Meitei Alliance said the Kuki terrorists used high-tech drones and rocket-propelled projectiles for aerial bombing, followed by heavy gun firing that killed a young woman and injured nine, including 12-year-old daughter of the deceased woman.
On Government and police’s claim of taking necessary measures to hold the terrorists accountable, Meitei Alliance said, “We need to see concrete actions.”
Stating that it not first time Kuki terrorists orchestrating such attacks forcing the villagers to flee and resorting to arson and plunder, Meitei Alliance asked why the Government of India has not taken any stringent actions against Kuki terrorists despite their repeated violations of the Indian Constitution and International Humanitarian Laws.
It maintained that the ongoing violence by Kuki terrorist groups is primarily driven by their efforts to pressure the government into halting actions against illegal immigration, deforestation for poppy plantations, and the expansion of the illicit narcotics trade from Southeast Asia’s ‘Golden Triangle’ into India via Manipur. “While we support these government actions, we urge the Indian government to fulfil its fundamental duty of protecting citizens from these terrorist groups,” it said.
Meanwhile, reacting to the reports of drones being used by Kuki terrorists in attacks on Meitei villages leaving two persons dead and nine others injured in Manipur’s Imphal West district, Congress Legislature Party leader O Ibobi Singh said if bombs are dropped with the help of drones, it is a question of national security since the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s residence might not be safe.
Asserting that the BJP Government in the State has failed to protect the lives of the people, the former three-time Chief Minister of Manipur asked who will protect the lives and properties of the people and Why the Central Government is silently looking into such acts.
Ibobi said the latest development at Koutruk has shown that modern technology that is deployed in warfare in Ukraine and Israel are now being used in Manipur. The Congress leader wonders whether the Centre is ignoring Manipur since it is a small State.
Kuki terrorists launched drone attacks on Sunday on Meitei villages in Koutruk where two persons were killed and nine others injured in bomb and gun attacks. At least two explosives were dropped from a drone on Monday evening at Senjam Chirang in which the woman was injured, the reports said.