The Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), reaffirming its stand demanding withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur, has declared an indefinite boycott of the Assam Rifles in the state.
COCOMI, in a statement, claimed that the people of the state have long held suspicions about the role of the Assam Rifles during the crisis that began in May 2023. It stated that the suspicions have been allegedly confirmed, and the demand for their withdrawal has proven both correct and justified.
It reflected on the statement made by PK Mishra, a retired ADG of BSF, in an interview with a National media recently on July 16 stating that removing one of the paramilitary forces is necessary to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. According to COCOMI’s understanding and the collective conscience of the general public, the force in question must be Assam Rifles, it stated.
It further listed various documented incidents and misconduct allegedly by Assam Rifles along with links including the Dolaithabi incident; complacency after attack on a jawan by suspected KRA militants; Sugnu police station confrontation; alleged assault on women protesters in Lilong, Phougakchao Ikhai and Pallel; alleged inaction during Moreh town burning; shifting population in Serou; alleged failure to support Moreh Police during attack by militants; suspected involvement in killing of a village volunteer; alleged supply of arms and ammunition; alleged collusion with kuki militants; retreat in Moreh; celebration of encounter with Kukis; inaction in Churachandpur; systematic shifting of villages; alleged empowering of armed groups; alleged failure to guard borders; alleged involvement in drug trafficking and neglect of poppy cultivation.
It also mentioned that the Tangkhul village chief from Kamjong district allegedly exposed the role of AR in the border area, where they have been reportedly accused of involving in the conflict in Myanmar taking sides with the Myanmar based militant groups like KNA (B) and PDF.
The NSCN(I-M) also released a press statement accusing Assam Rifles of alleged involvement in providing logistic and material support to cross border armed militant groups rather than taking care of the security situation inside the border villages, it added.
It also claimed that the state government has allegedly repeatedly expressed discontentment towards Assam Rifles conduct and a group of legislators have also submitted a written letter to the Centre for their withdrawal from the state.
The statement further said that COCOMI, alongside the people of Manipur, demands the immediate withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the state and calls for their replacement with disciplined and dedicated security organizations, such as the BSF, CRPF, or the Army, to manage the India-Myanmar International Border and assist the state’s law enforcement agencies.
It urged community leaders and civil society organisations to abstain from engaging with the Assam Rifles. Villagers should reject any Military Civic Action schemes and benefits offered by them, as these are merely tactics to cover up their deceitful actions, it accused.
It reiterated its declaration for indefinite boycott of the Assam Rifles in Manipur and appealed to all to support the decision for swift restoration of peace and security in the state and to stand united to bring justice and ensure a peaceful future.
