The Kuki MLAs, who have been demanding a ‘separate administration’, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to remove Assam Rifles against the demand raised by 40 state MLAs for removal of some Assam Rifles battalions in Manipur.
The Kuki MLAs prayed for not to remove Assam Rifles, citing that it would harm and jeopardise their safety and security. The request came after the 9th Battalion Assam Rifles were replaced by CRPF along Bishnupur to Kangvai Road on Monday.
Meanwhile, Phougakchao Ikhai Police Station had lodged an FIR against the personnel of the 9th Battalion Assam Rifles for allegedly blocking state police personnel while discharging their duty in Bishnupur district.
The police alleged that this act of the Assam Rifles gave a chance to Kuki militants to escape. The incident occurred on Saturday last at around 6.30 am near Kutub Wali Masjid at Kwakta Ward Number VIII, along Pholjang road about 2.8 km northwest. There has been apprehension of Assam Rifles allegedly supporting Kuki militants.
The 40 non-Kuki MLAs had appealed to the Prime Minister to shift Assam Rifles (9, 22 and 37) from their locations of deployment in a representation submitted on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the 10 Kuki MLAs stated in a letter written to the Prime Minister on Thursday that "since the outbreak of ethnic strife in Manipur in May 2023, the unabated violence has led to deep mistrust between the Kuki-Zo-Hmar Tribals and Meitei communities.”
“The tribals have unwavering faith on the central forces, particularly the Assam Rifles as they stood the test of time and did their work without prejudice, bias, fear or compulsion. The Assam Rifles has majority of their troops from the North Eastern States of India and they have been guarding Manipur for long, hence, they are aware of the local dynamics...” they said.
What sets them apart from other forces is their single-minded resolved to safeguard humanity, compassionate yet firm-handling of highly tense situations and unbiased conduct, they stated.
