Kuki-Zo MLAs urge Centre to rethink decision to replace Assam Rifles in Manipur

Ten Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs of Manipur on Friday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making an appeal to withdraw.

The Central government’s decision to replace the 9th and 22nd Battalions of the Assam Rifles along with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen, Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing, Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute, Thanlon MLA Vungzagin Valte, Tipaimukh MLA Ngursanglur Sanate, Tengnoupal MLA Letpao Haokip, Henglep MLA Letzamang Haokip, Singngat MLA Chinlunthang, Saikot MLA Paolenlal Haokip and Kangpokpi MLA Nemcha Kipgen were the legislators who submitted the memorandum requesting a rethink from the Centre.

The memorandum contended that the presence of the Assam Rifles is indispensable for maintenance of the current status-quo in ‘buffer-zones’, appealing that they may be replaced by other Battalions of the Assam Rifles instead.

It also claimed that the decision to withdraw the 9th and 22nd Battalions of the Assam Rifles from Kangvai and Kangpokpi, was taken following pressure from “bias elements” in the state government.

“We have come to learn that there is a plan to withdraw the 9th and 22nd Battalions of the Assam Rifles from their current sensitive deployment at Kangvai and Kangpokpi, following pressure from the communally biased elements in the state government who leave no stone unturned to portray the AR in a bad light just for the simple reason that they stood tall to serve as perhaps the finest neutral force so far”, stated the memorandum.

The document also maintained that the decision to replace the Assam Rifles battalion with the CRPF at this critical juncture is nothing but a sinister design to expedite the Meitei majoritarian ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zo community.

The 10 MLAs further requested PM Modi’s intervention for either withdrawal or rectification of the decision “in the best interest of justice”.