UAL seeks probe
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IMPHAL, Jul 14: The Uripok Apunba Lup (UAL) has written to the Union Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs highlighting major lapses in security measures which allowed six houses to be burnt in broad daylight at Kanto Sabal, a highly secure Army cantonment area.
Seeking an impartial probe, the UAL in its letter to the Union Home Secretary said six houses belonging to members of the Meitei community were set ablaze by "Kuki militants" in broad daylight within a highly secured military cantonment area at Leimakhong, Imphal West district on July 11.
The occurrence of such a grave incident within a zone reportedly under the presence and surveillance of the Army and other Central security forces clearly indicates serious lapses in security, and lack of timely intervention. Despite the incident occurring in daylight, no effective steps were taken to prevent the destruction of civilian properties, UAL said.
Since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, the Meitei residents of the said area are unable to access or return to their homes due to persistent threats and insecurity and as such they are staying in relief camps, said UAL.
When local villagers attempted to intervene and douse the fire, they were obstructed and subjected to force, resulting in injuries to them. Even the State police were not allowed to enter the area at various points by Central security forces, said UAL.
The incident reveals apparent inaction, negligence, and failure on the part of the Central security forces deployed in the area, and it calls for a thorough and impartial inquiry to fix accountability, UAL said.
The Government must also ensure immediate and adequate compensation and rehabilitation support to the victims whose houses and properties have been destroyed, it said.
The perpetrators must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with law. Further, the Government must take urgent measures to restore normalcy, ensure return of displaced families to their homes, and prevent recurrence of such incidents, UAL said.
Notably, the UAL has also filed a complaint with the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West urging the police to register an FIR regarding the incident.
The complaint asked the police to investigate and arrest all the persons involved in the arson.
Seeking an impartial probe, the UAL in its letter to the Union Home Secretary said six houses belonging to members of the Meitei community were set ablaze by "Kuki militants" in broad daylight within a highly secured military cantonment area at Leimakhong, Imphal West district on July 11.
The occurrence of such a grave incident within a zone reportedly under the presence and surveillance of the Army and other Central security forces clearly indicates serious lapses in security, and lack of timely intervention. Despite the incident occurring in daylight, no effective steps were taken to prevent the destruction of civilian properties, UAL said.
Since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, the Meitei residents of the said area are unable to access or return to their homes due to persistent threats and insecurity and as such they are staying in relief camps, said UAL.
When local villagers attempted to intervene and douse the fire, they were obstructed and subjected to force, resulting in injuries to them. Even the State police were not allowed to enter the area at various points by Central security forces, said UAL.
The incident reveals apparent inaction, negligence, and failure on the part of the Central security forces deployed in the area, and it calls for a thorough and impartial inquiry to fix accountability, UAL said.
The Government must also ensure immediate and adequate compensation and rehabilitation support to the victims whose houses and properties have been destroyed, it said.
The perpetrators must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with law. Further, the Government must take urgent measures to restore normalcy, ensure return of displaced families to their homes, and prevent recurrence of such incidents, UAL said.
Notably, the UAL has also filed a complaint with the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West urging the police to register an FIR regarding the incident.
The complaint asked the police to investigate and arrest all the persons involved in the arson.