Relocation of Assam Rifles: Is the Ministry of Home Affairs Succumbed to the Sinister Design of Majority Meitei?

With the latest development of replacing the most neutral central security Force - Assam Rifles - from the Buffer Zones of the Meitei-Kuki civil war with the CRPF, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, seemed to have succumbed to the sinister design of the communal Meiteis under the narcissistic leadership of N. Biren Singh.

The constant vilification campaign against the neutrality of the Assam Rifles, in the wake of the state-sponsored ethnic cleansing pogrom against the minority Kukis, is nothing but evil agenda-driven narratives being created by the radicalised Meitei populace in complicit with the secessionist valley-based insurgent groups (VBIGs) who wage war against the Union of India.

In fact, the Assam Rifles have a long and distinguished history of maintaining peace and neutrality in conflict zones. Since the beginning of the violence, the Assam Rifles security personnel have been tirelessly working to ensure stability and harmony between the two warring communities.

As “Friends of the Hill People”, their deep understanding of the local dynamics, cultural sensitivities, and the complex socio-political fabric of the region has been instrumental in preventing further escalation of violence and fostering an environment conducive to normalcy in the conflict zones.

Earlier, the Director General of Assam Rifles, Lieutenant General PC Nail has also said that the oldest military force has been maintaining a neutral stance since ethnic violence began in Manipur in May 2023, and termed their biased allegation reports as “stupid reports, falsehood and preposterous.” He had said that calling the Assam Rifles (AR) biased towards a particular community was “nothing but rumours” spread by the Meitei people with a hidden agenda.

It should be noted here that the insane Meitei populace and their civil bodies like the so-called Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) along with the proscribed Meitei militants have been making unfounded allegations against the Assam Rifles as they could not bear the diligent duties being carried out by the security forces without fear or favour. Their hidden agenda is to replace the Assam Rifles with other lesser- experienced security forces so that they could carry out their anti-national activities as per their whims and fancies.

It is irresponsible, absurd and lamentable, on the other hand, that the concerned central authorities act according to the Meiteis’ crave and desire without considering the wishes of the hill people.

Replacing the seasoned and neutral AR with the CRPF - which does not possess the same level of local knowledge and expertise - is not only a strategic misstep but also a grave injustice to the Hill people. The CRPF, despite its commendable service across the nation, lacks the specific experience and nuanced understanding required to effectively manage the delicate situation in the state.

The move is also particularly alarming as the Deputy Inspector General (Operations) of CRPF is none other than a communal Meitei called Premjit Huidrom. There had been serious allegations of the Meitei DIG, under whose watch several Kuki houses have been torched, properties destroyed and Kuki volunteers arrested or killed. The hill people, particularly the Kukis, have a legitimate question as to whether the leadership of

Premjit Meitei, DIG, CRPF, could bring impartiality among the two warring communities. The Kukis do not have any trust under him and doubt that he will ensure the safety and security of all communities in the State.

It is crucial to emphasize that  the  Assam Rifles have earned  the  trust  and  respect of the local people through their unbiased efforts in  fostering  harmony  and  peace. Their removal from the Buffer Zones would destabilize the fragile peace equation in the region and jeopardize the safety of the people, particularly the minority Kukis.

To replace some Assam Rifle units in the hill area with the CRPF could be a wasted and costly decision taken by the concerned department. The Government needs to rethink its decision discreetly and take the opinion of the respective hill people and their civil society bodies.