Alarming Partiality of Central Security Forces: They May Leave the Kukis Alone If They are Unable to Protect Innocent Lives and Properties

It is outrageous and distressing to observe that indiscriminate attacks on Kuki areas of Phaitol and other vulnerable areas continue to escalate amid the presence of a large column of the central security forces, resulting in vandalism and burning down of Kuki houses by the Meitei radicalised militia outfits.

The continuous atrocities against the Kukis amidst the presence of CAPF or the Assam Rifles has become a serious concern as it raises more questions than answers. There were shocking incidents of partiality being carried out by the so-called neutral Central Armed Police Forces in vulnerable areas.

The Assam Rifles, instead of confronting the Meiteis’ aggression, launched operations against the Kuki Village Volunteers with all their might. They let the Meiteis’ Meira Paibis inspect their convoys, while they did harassment to the Kuki women. The Meira Paibis also deliberately blocked the convoy of the Assam Rifles so that the Meitei militants could roam freely with sophisticated weapons in Jiribam and other parts of the state.

It is really appalling how the Indian authorities are handling this escalating tension between the two warring communities. Can the minority Kukis be safe under such a situation? Such biased action and partiality with heavy-handed tactics against the Kuki people, particularly towards the Kuki women, is disgraceful to the uniforms of the CAPF and it demands impartial swift action for justice to prevail.

The Manipur mayhem will continue to escalate if the Centre Government remains unwilling to tackle the threat of Meitei terror groups in the State. Minority Kukis continue to face the full force of biased law enforcement agencies, be it the Central Security Forces and the Communal State Police Forces, as well as a fully-armed Meitei terrorists outfit. Has the Government of India decided that tribal Kukis have to die at the hands of fascist Meiteis?

The Assam Rifles or the Central Armed Police Forces are the last hope of the people that barely hold together the law and order situation in a volatile situation of deeply split Manipur. But, if the CAPF cannot maintain impartiality between the two warring groups, then the trust and credibility of Indian Security Forces could be gone with the wind.

Moreover, fully knowing that the Kukis are only defending the Meiteis’ aggression and despite full co-operation given to them, the law enforcement agencies still find fault on the Kukis. What will the security forces do to the Kukis if they carry out offensive stands like the Meiteis? Unsurprisingly, there were instances of the Central Security Forces sabotaging the retaliatory strike of the Kuki Village Volunteers against the Meiteis onslaught. Such is the hypocrisy maintained by the central security forces.

It is worth mentioning that the self-styled leader of the Arambai Tenggol, Korounganba Khuman, who was booked under the National Investigating Agency Act, still roams freely in the Imphal valley.

In a deeply concerning situation of Jiribam and other vulnerable areas, if the Central Armed Forces are unable to contain the Meitei militia groups, they may leave the whole of Kuki dominated territories. Let the Kuki Village Volunteers take care of themselves in the buffer zones.

On July 8, hours before the arrival of Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, in the strife-torn district of Jiribam, the Meitei armed militants renewed indiscriminate attack on a Kuki Village of Phaitol, near Jiribam, under Tousem Sub-division, Tamenglong District, prompting the Kuki Village Volunteers to retaliate in defence of their ancestral land and its people. However, the 39 Assam Rifles deployed in the area arrested two Kuki village volunteers, which is highly condemnable.

On July 9, in blatant disregard for the safety and security of the Kuki people, the combined forces of CAPF and the communal State’s Police conducted an operation in a Kuki village of L. Hengjol, Kangpokpi district. They rained hundreds of live bullets towards the civilian houses, and subsequently arrested three Kuki village volunteers. Such terrorizing actions are critically alarming for the Kuki people.

While the Valley Based Militant Groups (VBIGs) are openly brandishing sophisticated arms and ammunitions in the valley, the arrest of village defenders and indiscriminate terrorising of the Kuki people is a threat that belies all hopes for safety and security for the minority Kuki people who have been fully cooperative with law enforcement efforts.

Thus, the Central security forces’ bias attitude in such a conflict zone is uncalled for and is highly condemnable.

It is imperative that a political solution should be reached to ensure lasting peace. A political solution for the Kukis is necessary for normalcy to return. It is an urgent request to the concerned authorities of the Indian Union to grant Union Territory with Legislature for Kuki-Zo people.