IT News
Imphal, Jan 19:
Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) in a press release said that all the killing of civilians and attacks on unarmed civilians in the ongoing violence are taking place by unleashing the Kuki Militants beside more than 60,000 central forces such as the Sikh Regiment, Maha Regiment, Assam Rifles, and others are deployed in various parts of Manipur.
The press release by YFPHR said, “Till today the landmark attack to the civilians took place right in front of these central forces who are deployed to curb the violence. Mention may be made of the incident on August 8, 2023, three unarmed civilians villagers, including a father and a son, were brutally murdered in cold blood by Kuki militants at Kwakta Lamkhai Ward No VIII, Bishnupur district under the nose of the Assam Rifles posted to prevent the violence, another on September 8, 2023, a 15-year-old girl was injured when Kuki militants indiscriminately fired at the village in Koutruk. The militants reportedly launched the attack from three sides atop Koutruk Hill in which BSF are mostly deployed, another incident on November 17, 2023, Khwairakpam ningol Leichonbam ongbi Ibemcha was shot by Kuki militants from Kangchup Hills on the morning of November 7 succumbed to her injuries around 1.35 pm at RIMS hospital on Friday i.e 17th November,2023 in which Assam Rifles and CRPF are deployed, another on January 10, 2024, four unarmed persons who went to collect the firewood were killed at Haotak Village of Bishnupur District in which Maha Regiment is Deployed to protect the civilians and last but not the least, an incident on January 18, 2024, four villagers including a father-son duo were killed in cold blood at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou Maning under Bishnupur Police station in which Sikh Regiment is Deployed to curb the violence.”
The above-cited incidents are just the tip of the iceberg while the missing civilians, shooting at civilians etc. are witnessed in various places such as Leitanpokpi, Kwakta, Moirang, and other places which left many civilians injured. In all these places, the Central Forces such as Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, Jat Regiment, Kumaon Regiment, Sikh Regiment, Maha Regiment, etc. are fully deployed to curb the violence, however, besides their presence, the killing of civilians have not stopped till date. This clearly indicates that the Central Forces are in nexus with the Kuki Militants under the strict guidance of the Government of India to continue the violence in Manipur having their economic interest, the press release added.
YFPHR appeals to the Government of India to respect the Indigenous Peoples’ Right to Life and Self Determination, stop the killing of civilians immediately and punish the killers, withdraw the Central Armed Forces from Manipur, and Stop Militarisation.
