Imphal, Sep 4: The residents of Manipur’s Dingpi area staged a protest over the proposed deployment of the Assam Rifles Unit under the command of a Meitei officer at Sehlon in Chandel district.
The people also gathered at Hengshi villages and carried out a protest rally from the Hengshi village public ground to the Hengshi AR Gate.
Several locals gathered at Sehlon village to hold a protest rally against the appointment of a Meitei officer at Sehlon. However, the Assam Rifles posted in the area forbade them to carry out their proposed rally.
Talking to media persons, Thangjamang Haokip, Secretary of the Kuki Chief Association, Khengjoi said, “Considering the geo-political situation at the moment, we are strongly against the appointment of a Meitei AR officer at Sehlon. We are not against the Assam Rifles, but we are strongly against the appointment of a Meitei officer when misunderstanding between the two communities is already at its peak”.
“The mistrust can hamper the already existing cordial relationship between the Assam Rifles and its people. As the area is predominantly occupied by the Kuki people, appointing a Meitei officer at this juncture will only heighten the volatile situation in the state. If our demands are not met, we will continue our protest in a more intense manner,” he added.
On September 1, the Kuki Chief Association, Khengjoi, also wrote to the Director General of Assam Rifles Shillong, requesting him to halt the process of deploying the Assam Rifles unit under the command of a Meitei officer at Sehlon, Chandel district, in the interest of peace and security.
Since May 3, 2023, ethnic violence has made some areas of Manipur a battleground.
At least 150 people have been killed and over 400 have been wounded in the violence that began in May.
More than 60,000 people have been forced from their homes as the army, parliamentary forces, and police struggle to quell violence.
Over 1000 women including film personalities on Saturday staged a sit-in protest across the valley districts of Manipur after a legal notice served to actor-turned politician Thounaojam Maheshwar by Assam Rifles.
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