The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), Manipur, has strongly condemned the shooting of a local farmer at Phubala Maning in Bishnupur district, calling it a glaring failure of the administration under President’s Rule and questioning the role of central security forces deployed in the state.
In a statement issued to the press, FOCS expressed serious concern over the recurring attacks on civilians in the valley and criticised the apparent inaction of the state machinery, which is currently under President’s Rule. “The government has completely failed to protect civilians. These attacks are taking place in broad daylight despite the presence of central security forces,” the organisation said.
FOCS further highlighted a similar recent incident at Pukhao in Imphal East district, where Meitei farmers, holding valid land documents, were allegedly threatened and driven away from their agricultural land by individuals belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Zo community. “Despite being deployed in the area, the central forces did not intervene even then,” the statement added.
The organisation alleged that the ongoing violence and land-related conflicts in the valley areas are linked to illegal immigration by members of the Chin-Kuki-Zo community from Myanmar. It claimed that over the past two years, such individuals have systematically attempted to encroach upon land and escalate conflict, while the state administration has failed to act decisively.
FOCS also raised serious concerns about the lack of response from the security forces present near the site of the June 19 incident. “There is an SSB bunker nearby, yet the armed attackers were able to fire multiple rounds without any counteraction. Why did the security forces remain passive while an unarmed farmer was attacked?” the organisation questioned.
The civil society body demanded immediate accountability from the authorities and urgent measures to ensure the safety of civilians, particularly farmers, who are increasingly vulnerable to attacks in the current climate of unrest.