The much predictable fallout of appointing a Meitei Army officer as in-charge of an Assam Rifles unit in predominantly Kuki-Zo area of Chandel district is starting to take a toll on the cordial relations between the public and the AR besides posing serious threat to the National security, the Kuki Inpi Chandel has said on Friday.
Today, about 23 cadres of Valley Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGS), who intruded into the Indian territory from their bases in Myanmar, have been transported towards Imphal Valley from Chandel district with the tacit support of Col SB Sharma of 1 Assam Rifles, Sehlon.
"The apprehension that the posting of a Meitei AR officer in Kuki-Zo dominated area would jeopardise the peaceful atmosphere is becoming a reality. The Central Government shall be held solely responsible for any consequences arising thereof," KIC said in a press condemnation.
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"It is very unfortunate that despite the repeated appeals to the concerned authority by the Kuki Inpi, Chandel, Kuki Inpi Manipur and Kuki chiefs not to appoint an officer belonging to the Meitei community in Sehlon/Khengjoy area as the situation in the State is still volatile and can exacerbate at the slightest misstep, the authority concerned ignored the pleas," it said.
It is a well-known fact that many VBIGs are operating together with military junta of neighbouring Myanmar. These anti-national elements have carried out subversive, secessionist, terrorist and violent activities on Indian soil and took refuge at their bases in Myanmar. On Nov 8, many VBIGS- who were proscribed under India's UAPA law - entered into Indian soil (Chandel district) after they fled their bases in Myanmar consequent upon the offensive launched against the military by anti-junta forces. These VBIGS are reportedly staying at Myanmar military's camps. An Indian Aadhaar card in the name of a Meitei man was found at a Myanmar military camp after being over- ran by anti-junta force in Myanmar just a day before.
Chandel district's Kuki apex body alleged that the militant cadres are also known for adding more firepower to the Meitei side in the ongoing State-sponsored ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zo people in Manipur. Although these VBIGS are declared unlawful organisations, one Meitei army officer is providing logistics to transport the proscribed insurgents to Imphal valley. This act of the said Meitei officer is posing great threats to the security of India particularly loyal Indian citizens of Chandel district, it said.
Vehemently condemning the act of the Meitei AR officer who extended logistics to the banned VBIGS, the Kuki Inpi Chandel therefore urged the authority concerned to initiate action against this particular Meitei officer and removed him from Chandel district's Sehlon area or any other Kuki-Zo dominated area for the sake of peace and national security. Kuki Inpi Chandel warned that it would not remain a mute spectator if the demands are not met immediately.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
