Imphal : The time-tested sentinel of India, the Assam Rifles is deeply involved in a difficult or controversial situation that affects or interests a lot of people in Manipur which is on the boil for the past 3 months. On Monday (August 7, 2023) thousands of Meira Paibis – women vigilante groups of Manipur, defying curfew protested against the Assam Rifles in the valley districts. Several Meitei women protestors at Imphal city and different roadsides in the valley areas shouted slogans, “Go back Assam Rifles,” and “We want peace.”

On the other hand, the Kuki women’s organizations demanded the enforcement of Assam Rifles in Manipur. At Thomas ground, Kangpokpi district which is predominantly inhabited by the Kukis, the womenfolks recently urged the Union Home Minister not to leave the Assam Rifles from the Kuki inhabited areas. For the time being, the demands of the Kuki women have been fulfilled by the central government. The Assam Rifles are like the godfather for the protection of the minorities, especially the Kukis, they said.

In contrast, on May 3, Assam Rifles not only threatened the lives of many Meira Paibis by firing several live rounds of bullets, and tear gas shells. Apart from it they also used hazardous chemical spray at Phougakchao Mayai Leikai in Manipur’s Bishnupur district as they tried to move towards Torbung Bangla to oppose the now-deferred mass burial event, Keisam Mema, a woman protestor said.

Interestingly, much to the chagrins of the womenfolks belonging to the Kukis and Meities, Assam Rifles are rendering its best services for the restoration of peace in the state. Around 50 Meitei people who fled from Moreh to Myanmar in the aftermath of the communal carnage have returned to India and are now taking shelter at the Key Location Point (KLP) camp of 5 Assam Rifles in Moreh.

Official sources said here on Monday that around 30 Meitei people from Moreh, who had fled to Myanmar returned from Myanmar on Sunday night and sought refuge at the  Assam Rifles camp in Moreh. Around 50 Meitei people are at the KLP camp at present.

When the communal carnage erupted on May 3 over 3000 Meitei people fled from Moreh. Over 500 houses of different dwelling houses belonging to the Meiteis were burnt down by the Kukis at Moreh. In the communal clashes over 160 people lost their lives and over 60,000 displaced people are taking shelter at different relief camps across the state.