Thousands rally against Tronglaobi terror attack, demand military crackdown

Our Correspondent
Moirang, Apr 11: United in grief and anguish over the twin tragedies that took place at Tronglaobi on April 7, which claimed the lives of a toddler and her five-year-old sister in a bomb attack, as well as three protesters killed in a CRPF firing, thousands of people, including children, took out a rally at Moirang today, demanding a military crack-down on Kuki militants.
Organized by the Kege Moirang Kendra Apunba Lup (KEMKAL), the protest march began at Moi- rang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School and concluded at Moirang College Ground, with participants raising several demands along the way.
More than 5,000 people, including children from Moirang and surrounding areas, as well as representatives of various civil society organizations, joined the rally.
They chanted slogans in unison, calling for the Government to declare Kuki militant groups as unlawful organizations and launch a military crackdown against them.
The rally participants also called on the Government to eliminate Kuki terrorists from Manipur and to take action against the CRPF personnel responsible for firing on civilian protesters, an incident that led to the deaths of three individuals and injuries to several others.
Placards bearing slogans such as "Stop Proxy War," "Let State Forces Work Freely," "Penalize Kuki Narco-Terrorists," and "Narendra Modi Down Down, Amit Shah Down Down," among others, were displayed by the protesters.
After the rally, the protesters observed a minute of silence at Moirang College Ground in memory of the victims of the Tronglaobi tragedies.
The protesters later submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Moirang SDO, listing their demands.
Before submitting the memorandum, the content was read aloud to the gathering.
Speaking to the media, KEMKAL spokesperson and joint secretary K Bonson said that the Government must deliver justice to the victims of the Tronglaobi incidents.
He stated that the first demand is for the Government to release details of the Kuki militants responsible for attacking the house at Tronglaobi, which resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to their mother.
Bonson emphasised that their other key demands include a military crackdown on Kuki militant groups to restore normalcy in Manipur, and the deployment of State forces instead of Central security personnel in peripheral areas.
He, on behalf of the protesters, also urged the Government to declare Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement as unlawful organisations.
Furthermore, Bonson demanded the enactment of a law to provide legal protection for the Village Volunteer Force.
K Padamo, secretary of the KEMKAL Women’s Wing, stated that those responsible for the Tronglaobi terror attack should be given death penalties.
She emphasised that the Government should not attempt to divert attention by claiming that some individuals responsible for the attack have been arrested without providing any detail.
Padamo urged the Government to understand the sentiments of the people and demonstrate its commitment to the people through meaningful action, if they genuinely care for the State.
People have lost faith in the Central forces, she said, urging the Government to withdraw them.
She warned that more intense agitations will follow if the Government fails to fulfil their demands.