Many condemn partisan AR
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 11: Many organisations including the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA), the All Inpui Students’ Union (AISU), the Joint Tribe Students’ Association (JTSA), the Joint Tribes Council (JTC) and the Indigenous People’s Forum Manipur (IPFM) have vehemently condemned the alleged unwarranted and partial action committed by troops of Waphong Inthan village this morning.
According to separate press releases issued by these organisations, troops of 19 Assam Rifles entered Waphong Inthan village in the Haochong sub-division on Wednesday morning and dismantled defensive bunkers and gates established by village volunteers.
The AR troops confiscated three single-barrel cartridge guns used by local guards for self-defence.
Moreover, the AR troops fired several rounds of live ammunition, which the organi- zations claimed was intended to intimidate the residents, and thus created an atmosphere of "panic and fear."
Personal belongings of Naga volunteers stationed at the site were also allegedly destroyed by the AR troops.
The village of Waphong Inthan has reportedly been under constant threat.
The Joint Tribes Council (JTC) highlighted that the community has faced repeated provocation, including jungle fires set on February 17 and 20 that nearly reached residential areas, and frequent blank fire by nearby Kuki groups.
Accusing the Assam Rifles of being partial, the SDSA and JTSA pointed out that while bunkers in Naga areas are being targeted and destroyed, similar structures in nearby Kuki-dominated areas remain "untouched."
“It is disheartening to witness an organization that claims to be the 'Protector of the North East' reveal a pattern of partiality that undermines the very principles of neutrality," the SDSA stated in its press release.
The Joint Tribes Council further alleged that the Assam Rifles have remained silent on several grave issues, including the encroachment of Inpui land for poppy cultivation and the presence of Kuki National Front (KNF) cadres in nearby villages like Aulmul and K Pollen.
They alleged that while the AR dismantled the simple defensive setups of Naga villagers, they have previously been observed assisting in the reconstruction of farmhouses in areas linked to illegal activities. The organisations have collectively demanded a thorough investigation into the conduct of the 19 Assam Rifles personnel involved in the Waphong Inthan raid.
The SDSA and AISU have appealed for the removal of the Assam Rifles from Naga ancestral lands, citing a total loss of trust.
The AISU has also reiterated the call for the immediate repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from all Naga-inhabited areas. The Joint Tribe Students’ Association (JTSA) warned that these "provocative actions" only serve to complicate the fragile peace process and deepen resentment in a region already grappling with the ongoing Kuki-Meitei conflict.
The statements concluded with a unified message of resilience.
The All Inpui Students’ Union emphasized that their volunteers were "peacefully guarding and protecting their ancestral land," and that such harassment of civilians would not be tolerated.
IMPHAL, Mar 11: Many organisations including the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA), the All Inpui Students’ Union (AISU), the Joint Tribe Students’ Association (JTSA), the Joint Tribes Council (JTC) and the Indigenous People’s Forum Manipur (IPFM) have vehemently condemned the alleged unwarranted and partial action committed by troops of Waphong Inthan village this morning.
According to separate press releases issued by these organisations, troops of 19 Assam Rifles entered Waphong Inthan village in the Haochong sub-division on Wednesday morning and dismantled defensive bunkers and gates established by village volunteers.
The AR troops confiscated three single-barrel cartridge guns used by local guards for self-defence.
Moreover, the AR troops fired several rounds of live ammunition, which the organi- zations claimed was intended to intimidate the residents, and thus created an atmosphere of "panic and fear."
Personal belongings of Naga volunteers stationed at the site were also allegedly destroyed by the AR troops.
The village of Waphong Inthan has reportedly been under constant threat.
The Joint Tribes Council (JTC) highlighted that the community has faced repeated provocation, including jungle fires set on February 17 and 20 that nearly reached residential areas, and frequent blank fire by nearby Kuki groups.
Accusing the Assam Rifles of being partial, the SDSA and JTSA pointed out that while bunkers in Naga areas are being targeted and destroyed, similar structures in nearby Kuki-dominated areas remain "untouched."
“It is disheartening to witness an organization that claims to be the 'Protector of the North East' reveal a pattern of partiality that undermines the very principles of neutrality," the SDSA stated in its press release.
The Joint Tribes Council further alleged that the Assam Rifles have remained silent on several grave issues, including the encroachment of Inpui land for poppy cultivation and the presence of Kuki National Front (KNF) cadres in nearby villages like Aulmul and K Pollen.
They alleged that while the AR dismantled the simple defensive setups of Naga villagers, they have previously been observed assisting in the reconstruction of farmhouses in areas linked to illegal activities. The organisations have collectively demanded a thorough investigation into the conduct of the 19 Assam Rifles personnel involved in the Waphong Inthan raid.
The SDSA and AISU have appealed for the removal of the Assam Rifles from Naga ancestral lands, citing a total loss of trust.
The AISU has also reiterated the call for the immediate repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from all Naga-inhabited areas. The Joint Tribe Students’ Association (JTSA) warned that these "provocative actions" only serve to complicate the fragile peace process and deepen resentment in a region already grappling with the ongoing Kuki-Meitei conflict.
The statements concluded with a unified message of resilience.
The All Inpui Students’ Union emphasized that their volunteers were "peacefully guarding and protecting their ancestral land," and that such harassment of civilians would not be tolerated.