One of the protesters, named Mutum Sobita, told the media on the sidelines of the protest that the womenfolk of the area strongly condemned the act of the 37 Assam Rifles for trying to block the main entrance of Sugnu Police on Friday.

She said some of the Assam Rifles personnel had been witnessed helping the suspected Kuki militants under SoO earlier. The act of Sugnu clearly shows that the Assam Rifles are helping the Kuki SoO militants directly and indirectly, she alleged.

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She said people are suspicious that some high-ranking Assam Rifles personnel might be involved in illegal poppy plantations in hilly areas of Manipur.

Earlier, reports had been published in the media that some Kuki militants under the SoO were involved directly and indirectly in illegal poppy plantations in hill districts of Manipur, she added.

Sobita said due to the harassment from Assam Rifles in the past, womenfolk of Manipur had demonstrated a naked protest in front of Kangla Western Gate, demanding the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Kangla.

She cautioned that the central and state governments should take necessary steps to withdraw the Assam Rifles from Manipur before similar and intensified protests are demonstrated.

The human chain protest was held along the Nongmeibung Road, starting from the Palace Compound traffic crossing to the Porompat crossing. Protesters raised slogans such as “Go Back Assam Rifles”, “Long Live Manipur,” and others.

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