Northeast Desk, 17th February: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has raised concerns with Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, regarding a recent viral video depicting a purported standoff between an Assam Rifles convoy and a group of militants in the border town of Moreh.
In a letter addressed to General Pande, COCOMI expressed grave apprehensions over the unprecedented visuals of armed miscreants threatening soldiers with guns, rocket launchers, and other weapons. They emphasized that such incidents not only undermine the integrity and authority of the armed forces but also pose a significant threat to national security.
Furthermore, COCOMI called for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) with hill-based groups and urged for a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. They questioned whether the army had been instructed to exercise restraint while dealing with armed miscreants due to their collaboration under the SoO since 2005.
COCOMI implored General Pande to personally intervene, oversee a comprehensive investigation, and take prompt action to rectify the situation. They highlighted the urgent need to safeguard the reputation of the armed forces, given the current criticism faced in the region.
The viral video purportedly depicts an encounter between the 5 Assam Rifles convoy and armed miscreants in T. Yangnom on January 17. The armed miscreants, allegedly belonging to the Kuki community, were seen blocking the convoy’s path and brandishing weapons, raising concerns about the security forces’ handling of the situation. This incident occurred amidst a troubled situation in Moreh, where armed miscreants had ambushed security personnel, resulting in casualties.
The region has witnessed escalating violence, with over 180 fatalities since ethnic tensions erupted on May 3 last year following protests against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis constitute the majority in Manipur, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, reside mainly in hilly districts.
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