Kuki Inpi demands withdrawal of Manipur Police from Mongbung and Sejang Villages amid rising tensions

The Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong & Noney (KIJTN) has sought withdrawal of Manipur State Police from Mongbung and Sejang Villages.

KIJTN stated it is compelled to issue a notification expressing its displeasure against the policy of the Jiribam/State Police Department regarding the encirclement of Mongbung and Sejang Villages. The State police created havoc in these two villages by ransacking food provisions on the 10th of July this year, and three days later, Manipur Police Commandos, along with CRPF personnel, attacked the villages, leading to the loss of a CRPF jawan.

It added that the tribal CSOs of the area and various organizations have requested the concerned authorities that any deployment of Manipur State Police should not be allowed, and if Central forces are to be deployed, they should consist of the Assam Rifles. However 14th October personnel of Police Commandos and CRPF were deployed and stationed in the Ahmedabad area amidst opposition from the
tribal people.

The Kuki Inpi, along with other tribal CSOs, has repeatedly requested the authorities that State Police Commandos should be restricted to Meetei areas only until the situation subsides, but our appeal has had no effect. Mongbung and Sejang villages have been intermittently attacked by Meetei militants over the last two months, totaling almost twenty attacks, and Manipur Police Commandos are openly abetting these attacks. Bombs with serial numbers printed were dropped inside the villages.

Therefore, the Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong & Noney makes a fervent appeal to the authorities to withdraw the deployment of security personnel from the Ahmedabad and Latingkhal areas of Jiribam. If the deployment of security forces is required for security reasons, Assam Rifles or Army personnel may be stationed. Any policy that could leave Mongbung and Sejang villages vulnerable to attacks by Meetei militants and Police Commandos will not be allowed any cost. The Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong, and Noney have made their best efforts to de-escalate violence since the outbreak of violence in Manipur, and any untoward incident due to sectarian policy will be the sole responsibility of the Jiribam Police administration.