Dingpi area in Chandel district protest against appointment of Meitei AR Official

Dingpi area under Khengjoi Sub-Division in Chandel district on 2nd September protested against the proposed deployment of Assam Rifles Unit under the command of a Meitei officer at Sehlon, Chandel district.

Aghast with the proposed deployment, a large number of villagers was supposed to gather at Sehlon village to hold a protest rally against the appointment of Meitei officer at Sehlon. However, the Assam Rifles posted at the area forbid them to carry out their proposed rally. Even the vehicle carrying media personnel were not allowed to proceed further from Hengshi village. Villagers who were supposed to take part in the rally were also stopped at Hengshi AR Gate.

Despite the the stiff opposition from Assam Rifles officials, villagers from various villages congregated at different places and hold a protest rally against the proposed deployment of Assam Rifles Unit under the command of a Meitei officer. A large number of people also gathered at Hengshi villages and carried out a protest rally from Hengshi village public ground till Hengshi AR Gate. The protesters shout slogans such as "we don't want Meitei officer," "Go back Meitei Officer." The protesters also hold placards - " 1st AR is welcome but not it's Commandant," "No Kuki in valley and No Meitei in Hill," "Fear and insecurity with Meitei Commandant coming in our area," "We don't Want Meitei Commandant," etc.

Briefing media persons at the sideline of the protest, Thangjamang Haokip, Secretary Kuki Chief Association, Khengjoi said, "Considering the geo-political situation at the moment, we are strongly against the appointment of a Meitei AR officer at Sehlon. We are not against the Assam Rifles, but we are strongly against the appointment of a Meitei officer, when misunderstanding between the two community is already at its peak. The mistrust can hamper the already existing cordial relationship between the Assam Rifles and it's people. As the area is pre-dominantly occupied by the Kuki people, appointing a Meitei officer at this juncture will only heighten the volatile situation in the state.

"If our demands are not met, we will continue our protest in a more intense manner," he added.

The Kuki Chief Association, Khengjoi on 1st September has also written to the Director General of Assam Rifles Shillong, request him to halt the process of deploying Assam Rifles unit under the command of a Meitei officer at Sehlon, Chandel District in the interest of peace and security.

As you are aware, the law and order situation now in Manipur is still unstable and there is deep mistrust between the Kuki and Meitei communities. There is no let-up in violence elsewhere in the State. The situation can aggravate with a little mis-adventure and mis-calculation on the part of the security establishments, the KCA Khengjoi letter said.

KCA Khengjoy Sub-Division is leaving no stone unturned to maintain peace and tranquillity in our jurisdiction at any cost. We remain guarded against all inimical elements which can disturb the law and order situation of the area.

We also would like to put our position clear that, we have no intention to interfere in the routine movement of Assam Rifles battalions, but leaving the charge of an Assam Rifles unit to a Meitei officer at this time and place will not serve the interest of the public of the area rather it would be a cause of serious security concern, it alleged.

As such, appointing an AR unit with a person belonging to the Meitei community as its Commanding Officer at Sehlon in Chandel District at this juncture is uncalled for, the KCA opined.

Representing the collective wishes of villagers in the area, we therefore requested you to totally drop any proposal to deploy AR unit headed by any Meitei officer in Khengjoi Area which is predominantly dominated by Kukis in the interest of peace and security. We want to maintain cordial relations with the Assam Rifles as usual. We wish our goodwill gesture is reciprocated accordingly, stated KCA.

It may be noted here that, in a routine movement of Assam Rifles, the 13 Assam Rifles posted at Sehlon in Chandel district is to be replaced by 1 Assam Rifles, whose Commandant Officer is a Meitei. This has led to apprehension among the local populace considering the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Kukis and Meiteis.

During the 2000s, many inhabitants of villages located under Khengjoi Block in Manipur’s Chandel district bordering Myanmar have been killed in landmine explosions while many others have been maimed for life. The area has witnessed one of the most persistent campaigns of violence unleashed by Valley-based militants, in particular the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) during the 2000s.