Four Manipur MLAs, including a Congress MLA who had gone to Sugnu for peace talk and to control the ongoing communal clash in the area on Saturday, have been camped at the place to continue talks with the people.
The four MLAs are K Ranjit Singh of Sugnu Assembly Constituency, Yumnam Radheshyam of Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency, Usham Deben of Wabagai Assembly Constituency, M Rameshwar Singh of Kakching Assembly Constituency. They were led by MAHUD minister Y Khemchand, who returned to Imphal.
Watch: MAHUD Minister Y Khemchand speaks to the public at Sugnu
The four MLAs and the minister approached the villagers of Sugnu for a peace talk in order to bring peace and tranquillity in the area. Then, the villagers questioned them why the 50 MLAs failed to make their stance when the10 MLAs made their demand for a ‘separate administration’.
The villagers also demanded the MLAs to withdraw SoO with Kuki militants and remove Assam Rifles post from Sugnu area.
They also informed the MLAs that during a recent gunfight between state commando, villagers of Sugnu and Kuki militants, the Assam Rifles of Sugnu remained a silent spectator.
Following the demand of the public, minister Khemchand made a phone call to CM Biren Singh, putting it on loud speaker, and elaborated on the demands of the public.
During the telephonic conversation, CM Biren said that he will consult with concerned authorities to start the process of removing the Assam Rifle post. He also told the minister to come with some representatives of Sugnu village at his Secretariat office for a meeting regarding the issue.
However, the villagers denied the proposal of the chief minister, remaining firm on their demands.
To interact with the people of Sugnu, the four MLAs have been put up at the Congress Mahila Office located at Sugnu bazaar while MAHUD minister Y Khemchand Singh returned to Imphal.
Replying to a media query on today’s incident, MLA Ranjit replied that he had intended to stay back.
Earlier, women from Sugnu, Serou and neighbouring villages rallied from Sugnu bazaar towards Assam Rifles post of Sugnu area.
A woman protester said that turmoil is occurring in each and every corner of the valley. And amidst the turmoil, the government deployed Assam Rifles who were just standing and witnessing the attack on Meitei people by Kuki militants, she alleged.
She also alleged that civilians have been shot dead in Sugnu area due to blank firing by Assam Rifles posted in the area and added that they want to remove AR from Sugnu as they do not trust them anymore.
The Kuki militants surrounded Sugnu and the people of Sugnu are unable to fetch water from the Sugnu river, the woman said.
Also Read: Manipur Unrest: Tension erupts at Sugnu with AR
