Kuki village chiefs raise objection to proposed deployment of CRPF at Tangjeng village

The Kuki-Zo village chiefs of Leisan, Berea, L. Cananphai, G. Songel and Patjang under Churachandpur district have raised objection to the proposed deployment of CRPF at Tangjeng village without the consent of adjoining village chiefs and other security forces deployed in the same location.

In a letter to the Superintendent of Police Churachandpur on October 19, the village chiefs cited grounds for raising their objection to the proposed deployment of the CRPF.

The village chiefs stated that the present arrangement and deployment of the Para-military/Central Forces, such as 10 and 49 ITBP companies and 36 Assam Rifles in the entire area of both Tangjeng and Leisan Villages are considered absolutely adequate in terms of the security apparatus/measurement being taken up by the Government.

Besides, one Company of 13 BSF, which is already deployed across the Manipur river bank of Tangjeng Khunjao under Kakching District, is also at the other side of the river bank of Tangjeng Village.

In a letter addressed to the SP, Churchandpur, the village chiefs expressed that as of now, they do not feel the necessity to deploy Central Forces like CRPF across the river bank of Tangjeng Village, which is located in between the deployment of many Para-military/Central Forces, whereby Tangjeng and Tangjeng Khunjao villages were situated on both sides of the Manipur River Bank.

If deployment of more Central Forces like CRPF is considered necessary, the said forces may be deployed across the Manipur River bank of Tangjeng Khunjao under Kakching District, as firing often came from that side in the past, and the firing is also likely to happen again in near future, it said.

In the case of Tangjeng and Leisan sides, ITBP and AR personnel have manned the whole area very well and no security loophole or lapses were witnessed so far. And as such, there is no need of sending CRPF to Tangjeng at this juncture, as the said CRPF being deployed at Khodang did not prevent mobs from burning down Khodang Village on May 28, 2023, the chiefs stated.

The chiefs reiterated that peace and tranquillity which began to prevail in the entire area of Tangjeng and Leisan since last 5 months and till date must not be disturbed in the name of proposing to deploy more forces like CRPF at Tangjeng Village, until the centre brings a solution to the ongoing crisis between the two communities

Further, the letter stated that villages like Napat, Tangjeng, Pombikhok, Chandongpokpi, Leingangtabi and Khoijumantabi are situated within Dampi Reserved of Churachandpur District in terms of geographical location/area but since the inhabitants belongs to Meitei community, the villages were brought under Bishnupur District just for administrative convenience.

As such, it is considered mandatory for the Unified Command/State government  to seek consultation and obtaining consent of the adjoining village chiefs and district administration of the Churachandpur towards any sort of security arrangement to be taken up in those villages, the chiefs added.