Team News Riveting
Imphal, August 7
Assam Rifles (AR) has a different story to play in Manipur; while one of the warring group Meitei opposes the central force, the other is backing it.
The two groups are locked in a bloody battle in Manipur that started with Kuki attacking Meitie over caste reservation issue on May 3. Soon, the entire Manipur was engulfed in the ethnic clashes with people deserting their houses and taking shelter in the camps of security forces. Many even crossed the border to enter Myanmar and save their lives.
Even as the violence continues in the state, the AR has been in the limelight of both the communities. However, one is opposing while the other is firmly backing the force, which is one of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Indian Army maintains operational control of the AR.
Both Kuki and Meitei women folks are holding opposing views about the security force. On Monday, thousands of Meira Paibis, women vigilante groups of the Meiteis, defied curfew to protest against the Assam Rifles. They shouted slogans such as “Go back Assam Rifles” and “We want peace.”
On the other hand, Kuki women’s organizations have demanded that the Assam Rifles be deployed in Manipur. They say that the Assam Rifles is the only force that can protect them from the Meitei militants.
Despite the chagrin of the Meitei women folks, Assam Rifles is rendering its best services for the restoration of peace in the state.
On Monday, around 30 Meitei people from Moreh, who had fled to Myanmar, returned on Sunday night and sought refuge at the Assam Rifles camp in Moreh. When the violence broke out on May 3, over 3000 Meitei people fled from Moreh. Over 500 houses belonging to the Meiteis were burnt down by the Kukis at Moreh.
