FIR against Assam Rifle: Continue to be fair to all and fear none, says Army to all its Ranks

After the Manipur Police have lodged a criminal case against the Assam Rifles for “obstruction of duty” and “criminal intimidation," the Indian Army has put out a message to all ranks deployed in Manipur to "continue to be fair to all and fear none" for restoring peace and normalcy.

In the wake of violent incident at Kwakta, Bishnupur district, on August 5, wherein three individuals including a father and son duo were allegedly killed by Kuki village volunteers, the police have accused the personnel of the 9th battalion of the Assam Rifles of the “arrogant act” of “giving a chance to the accused Kuki militants to escape freely to a safe zone.”

In a message, the official Twitter handle of Indian Army stated that some inimical elements have made fabricated attempts to malign Image of Assam Rifles who are working relentlessly towards saving lives and restoring peace in the State since May 3 onwards.

"Some inimical elements have made desperate, repeated & failed attempts to question the role, intent and integrity of the Central Security Forces, especially Assam Rifles, working relentlessly towards saving lives and restoration of peace in Manipur from 03 May onwards," Indian Army said.

"???????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ??? & ???? ????"

Our message ?to All Ranks deployed in #Manipur for restoring peace & normalcy @adgpi @easterncomd @official_dgar pic.twitter.com/J8mzr63HRc

— SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) August 8, 2023

The Army also informed that it needs to be understood that due to the complex nature of the situation on the ground in Manipur, occasional differences at tactical level do occur between various security forces. However, all such misunderstandings at the functional level are immediately addressed through the joint mechanism to synergize the efforts for restoration of peace and normalcy in Manipur.

Mentioning two instances that have emerged over the past 24 hours which aimed at maligning Assam Rifles, the Indian Army cited the first of such case wherein the Assam Rifles Battalion had acted strictly in accordance with the mandate of the Unified Headquarters of strict enforcement of Buffer Zone guidelines towards the aim of preventing violence between the two communities. The second case of Assam Rifles being moved out of an area is not even related to them, it said while adding that an Infantry Battalion of the Army is deployed in the area (ever since the crisis erupted in May) from where the narrative of Assam Rifles being moved out has been made.

The Indian Army and Assam Rifles assured the people of Manipur that they would continue to remain firm and resolute in their actions to prevent any attempt that could result in furthering violence in an already volatile atmosphere.

It is to be noted here that the Assam Rifles has been under continuous attack from Meitei civil society groups and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs belonging to the Meitei community in the valley since the start of ethnic violence on May 3.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, Manipur Pradesh, has also requested the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi to replace the Assam Rifles deployed in the State, particularly in the Hill areas, by any other paramilitary forces permanently in the interest of the general public

The BJP Manipur Pradesh submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister on Monday claiming that the role of the Assam Rifles in regard to the recent ethnic unrest, in maintaining peace and tranquility in the state has been under considerable amount of criticism and public outrage.

The Memorandum also stated that the Assam Rifles has been charged by the public for their bias role in tackling the situation by favoring and supporting one side only.