Imphal: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on Thursday reiterated its demand for the removal of the Assam Rifles, India’s oldest paramilitary force, from the state of Manipur due to their alleged ties with Kuki militant organizations.
COCOMI coordinator Somrendro Thokchom highlighted that the people of Manipur have long suspected the Assam Rifles’ involvement in the ongoing crisis, which began in May last year. These suspicions were recently substantiated by a statement from retired BSF officer PK Mishra, who called for the force’s withdrawal to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.
Somrendro detailed a series of incidents implicating Assam Rifles personnel in the current unrest:
- Dolaithabi Incident: Local TV footage showed Assam Rifles vehicles supplying suspicious items to Kuki armed posts. Despite a jawan being shot dead by suspected KRA militants, the Assam Rifles’ response was complacent.
- Sugnu Police Station Confrontation: Assam Rifles unlawfully blocked the police station gate, obstructing police movement.
- Assault on Women Protestors: Unarmed and non-violent women protestors in Lilong, Phaogakchao Ikhai, and Pallel were assaulted by Assam Rifles personnel.
- Inaction During Moreh Town Burning: The force exhibited a complacent attitude while Moreh town was being burned down.
- Shifting Population in Serou: Instead of defending villages, Assam Rifles played an active role in shifting populations, allowing villages to be destroyed by invading Kuki militants.
- Non-supportive in Moreh: They failed to support Moreh Police during an attack by armed Kuki terrorist groups.
- Suspected Involvement in Killing: Assam Rifles personnel were suspected in the killing of a village defense volunteer named Ngangom Sanjit in Kadangband.
- Supply of Arms and Ammunition: Numerous viral photos and videos raised suspicions about their involvement in supplying arms.
- Collusion with Kuki Militants: Videos and photos show Assam Rifles officers sharing goods with Kuki militants.
- Retreat in Moreh: Viral videos showed AR vehicles retreating under threat, with personnel inside stating, “We are here to protect you.”
- Celebration of Encounter: A video showed an Assam Rifles commandant celebrating an encounter with Kuki youths.
- Inaction in Churachandpur: Assam Rifles did nothing during the dismantling of Meetei villages.
- Systematic Shifting of Villages: They systematically shifted Meetei villagers, creating buffer zones for Kuki groups.
- Empowering Armed Groups: Assam Rifles empowered armed Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups, using them as proxy armies.
- Failure to Guard Borders: They failed in their primary duty to guard the international border, impacting native populations.
- Involvement in Drug Trafficking: Assam Rifles personnel were involved in drug trafficking, with a PRO convicted in a high-profile case.
- Neglect of Poppy Cultivation: They turned a blind eye to opium poppy cultivation visible from their camps.
Somrendro also mentioned allegations against the Assam Rifles in Kamjong district, where a Tangkhul village chief accused them of involvement in the conflict in Myanmar, siding with Myanmar-based militant groups like KNA (B) and PDF. Additionally, the Naga militant group NSCN(IM) accused the Assam Rifles of providing logistical and material support to cross-border armed militant groups instead of securing the border villages.
