The Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity(COCOMI) has written to the chief of army staff General Manoj Pande and seeks explanation regarding the recent disturbing video of ‘Kuki militants’ overpowering the India Army deployed in Moreh area.
In its letter dated, February 17, COCOMI stated that such visuals of soldiers being openly threatened with guns rocket launchers and other weapons have never been witnessed before in the history of India.
Claiming that the incident not only undermines the integrity and authority of the armed forces, but also poses a significant threat to national security, COCOMI stated that it is crucial that a thorough investigation is conducted to determine how such an incident occurred.
COCOMI urged the chief of army staff to personally intervene, oversee a comprehensive investigation and take prompt action to rectify the situation.
COCOMI questions the chief of army staff whether he is advised or instructed by the government of India in New Delhi to maintain restraint while confronting with armed Kuki militants. The Kuki militants have been working with the Indian army since the execution of SoO since 2005.
While asking the chief of army staff to identify any lapses in security measures that may have allowed the incident to happen, COCOMI stated that such attitude towards an un-regulated armed groups giving enough time to take their position in the confrontation could have kept army personnels life in danger.
Moreover, it is imperative that appropriate steps are taken to ensure that forces are equipped with the necessary resources and support to effectively counter such threats in the future, it added.
COCOMI stated, “the safety and morale of our brave soldiers should be our highest priority.”
Stating that several brave Indian army soldiers and state police personnel have lost their lives at the hands of the Kuki militant groups, COCOMI added that on May 16, 2023, Assam Rifles Jawan Alok Rao was killed by Kuki militants at Dolaithabi, Imphal east and Saikul border area and on June 5,2023, BSF Jawan Ranjit Yadav lost his life in an attack by Kuki militants from the Churachandpur side at Serou area in Kakching district.
On October 31 2023, Sub-Divisional Police officer of Moreh Sub-Division Tengnoupal district, Chingtham Anand, was killed by armed Kuki group. On January 17, 2024, state Police personnel Takhellambam Saileshor and Wangkhem Somorjit were killed by armed Kuki groups at Moreh border town and on the same day three BSF Jawans namely Gourav Kumar, Sobram Singh and Ranjit were seriously injured in an open attack by Kuki Groups in broad daylight at Moreh.
On early morning of February 17, one more BSF got bullet injuries from the bullets of Kuki militants at Sugnu under kaching district, the letter added.
The letter continued that the incident represents an alarming departure from historical precedent where never before has the Indian army been so openly overpowered by armed groups,compelling them to retreat from their deployment area and no visible retaliation against the open attacks carried out by Kuki militants injuring and killing several Indian army personnel.
The letter further stated that the current criticism faced by the Indian army in the region compounded by the perceived indifference in the Assam Rifles' handling of the situation demands urgent attention.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
