10-Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs writes to Prime Minister not to withdraw Assam Rifles from Manipur

Imphal: The 10 ‘Kuki-Zo-Hmar’ MLAs of Manipur Legislative Assembly, who has been demanding a Seperate Administration for the Kuki community, has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to withdraw Assam Rifles from Manipur by replacing them with CRPF.

The 10 MLAs They are Ngursanglur Sanate (BJP), Letpao Haokip (BJP), LM Khaute (BJP), Letzamang Haokip (BJP), Paolienlal Haokip (BJP), Nemcha Kipgen (BJP), Vungzagin Valte (BJP), Kimneo Haokip Hangshing (Kuki People’s Alliance), Chinlunthang (KPA) and Haokholet Kipgen (Independent).

They abstain from attending the the 6th session of 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly that began on Wednesday.

Nemcha Kipgen and Letpao Haokip are ministers.

The 10 MLAs drew the attention of the Prime Minister on the Centre’s decision to withdraw the 9th and 22nd Battalion of Assam Rifles by replacing with CRPF, through a memorandum.

They said, “We have come to learn that there is a plan to withdraw 9th Bn and 22nd Bn 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 the AR stood tall to serve as perhaps the finest neutral force so far.”

“It is pertinent to cite that the un-biased service of the Assam Rifles in the fringe areas has been obviously instrumental in prevention of further escalation of violence till date. The role played by AR so far in maintenance of Law and Order is absolutely neutral.”

“This unwholesome decision to replace the aforementioned AR Battalions with CRPF at this critical juncture is nothing but a sinister design to expedite the Meitei majoritarian ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zo community.”

“To maintain the current status-quo particularly in the Buffer-Zones separating the Meitei and Ku-ki-Zo communities, the undaunted and unbiased presence of the Assam Rifles is highly indispensable at this stage.”

“Under the prevailing circumstances, in any eventuality of the 9th and 22nd Bn.AR to be shifted out specifically, it is vehemently appealed that they may be replaced by other Battalions of the Assam Rifles. Hence, in all fairness of things, we earnestly request your intervention for either withdrawal or rectifi-cation the decision in the best interest of justice.”