The Peace and Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) has called for the relocation of the Assam Rifles (AR) post from Dolaithabi to Ekou in Imphal East and demanded deployment of state forces to protect the villages that have been devastated by attacks from suspected Kuki militants
The committee argued that the current placement of the AR post at Dolaithabi has allowed the suspected Kuki militants to freely target other villages located ahead of Dolaithabi and stressed the need of a strong presence of state forces particularly at Ekou, Yengkhuman and Leitanpokpi.
Speaking to the media at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal on Wednesday, PDCC president Leimapokpam Joy expressed concern that the current placement of the AR post at Dolaithabi has allowed suspected Kuki militants to freely target other villages such as Ekou, Yengkhuman, and Leitanpokpi, located ahead of Dolaithabi under Khundrakpam AC in Imphal East.
He stated that the presence of AR had inadvertently facilitated the militants' attacks on the Meetei villages, emphasising that if the AR post had been stationed at Ekou, many unfortunate incidents could have been prevented.
According to Joy, since the outbreak of the communal crisis on May 3, at least 200 houses in villages under Khundrakpam AC have been burnt by suspected Kuki militants with many killed or injured in attacks.
The PDCC president also expressed shock at the recent advice from central forces to village authorities in Khundrakpam AC, urging them to form a peace committee with the neighbouring Saikul AC, despite the loss of at least nine lives during a recent attack by Kuki militants in the Khamenlok area.
Drawing attention to the grave situation, Joy called upon both the central and state governments to earnestly work toward confining the Kuki militants and preventing further attacks on innocent villagers.
Cautioning that failure to address the issue could potentially escalate into a civil war, he emphasised the urgency of restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur with the state and central government working sincerely on it.
The PDCC also extended heartfelt condolences to the brave individuals who lost their lives while defending the village in the Khamenlok area on Tuesday night.
