Manipur Violence: Combined Security Forces involved in arsoning of Thingkangphai Village, says ITLF

Thingkangphai Village, situated in the periphery of Sugnu-Serou area, suffered a relentless assault since 7 a.m. by the combined forces of Assam Rifles, Police Commando, and radicalised militia group-Arambai Tenggol, said the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) on Tuesday.

In a press condemnation issued today, ITLF Media Cell Chairman, Ginza Vualzong, stated that at around 0700 hrs, the Assam Rifles conducted an Area Domination Patrol (ADP) in Thingkangphai Village of Chandel, Manipur, and fired upon village defense volunteers, killing one and injuring many. The volunteers retreated, but their houses were later burned down by the combined forces of the Police Commando and a Meitei terrorist organization accompanying the Assam Rifles, he said.

"What adds to the distressing nature of this incident is the inaction of the same Assam Rifles unit who remain mute spectators when Kuki houses were set on fire a few days ago, but participated in the burning of remaining villages in the Sugnu-Serou region today," ITLF stated.

The Tribal body said that although photographic and video evidence exists of the combined security forces' involvement, the internet ban prevents it from being shared with the media.

The press condemnation also highlighted that the state forces, particularly the Police Commandos and Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), have displayed a clear bias, transforming themselves from state forces into communal forces. It alleged that security forces have forcibly placed all tribal personnel on compulsory leave and allowed Meitei terrorist organizations like Arambai Tenggol & Meetei Leepun to freely seize arms and ammunition from their armories.

While vehemently condemning the involvement of 37 Assam Rifles and other CAPFS in the burning of Thingkangphai village, ITLF urged that the Army, Assam Rifles and other CAPF units, who were assumed as neutral forces, should refrain from patrolling together with the communal Police Commandos and IRB.

Otherwise, ITLF warned, the hill people would lose the respect they have for the Army.

The tribal leaders also stated that they would go to any extent and sacrifice anything required to defend and protect their ancestral land.

The leader also reiterated that the present crisis could only be resolved through a political settlement by the Indian government, not through military operations or suppressive policies. State government lies and propaganda is not helpful, he said and urged the authorities to intervene before the situation worsens.