Manipur Violence News / Manipur Police registers FIR against Assam Rifles, state BJP appeals to PM to change the force

Manipur Violence News: Manipur Police has registered an FIR accusing the 9th Battalion Assam Rifles personnel of blocking their movement in Bishnupur district. A police official in Fxphal said that Assam Rifles personnel, led by their officers, had stopped police vehicles on the Kwakta Gothol road last week when the police were on their way to conduct an operation against insurgents.

Assam Rifles officials, however, said the paramilitary personnel were carrying out their task assigned by the command headquarters to ensure the safety of people and prevent clashes between Kuki and Meitei cadres.

Request to remove Assam Rifles from the state

Meanwhile, the ruling BJP in the state also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to replace the Assam Rifles with any other central paramilitary force in the state after various Meitei organisations, including the Manipur Integrity Coordination Committee and Mira Paibi. "The role of the Assam Rifles in connection with the ethnic unrest and in maintaining peace in the state has been under considerable criticism and public outrage," said a letter jointly signed by state BJP president A.Sharda Devi and vice-president Chidanand.

Assam Rifles jawans failed to play fair role

The letter states that since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, the Assam Rifles personnel have completely failed to play their fair role in restoring peace and normalcy in the state. The Manipur government on Monday issued an order to replace the Assam Rifles with state police and CRPF at the check-gate at Moirang Lamkhai in Bishnupur district as fresh violence broke out there last week.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) L. "The check-point at Moirang Lamkhai on the road from Bishnupur to Kangwai will be manned by civilian police and 128 Bn CRPF in place of Assam Rifles," said the notification issued by Kailun.