Photo Courtesy: ukhrultimes
Imphal: A delegation comprising representatives from the Indigenous People’s Forum Manipur, All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation, the Manipur Naga Youth Organisation, Tangkhul elders, and Meitei intellectuals recently visited border villages impacted by a May 7 incursion. The team traveled to the affected villages of Namlee, Wanglee, and Choro to provide relief materials and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the destruction, including burned homes, looted property, and damaged vehicles.
During the visit, participants described the incident as a clear act of external aggression, attributing the violence to the Myanmar-based Kuki National Army, Burma (KNA-B). Ashang Kasar, Chief Advisor of the IPFM, voiced deep frustration over the perceived lack of state government action. He advocated for the immediate deployment of the Indian Reserve Battalion or Manipur Rifles to the area to prevent future incursions and urged the government to prioritize the reconstruction of destroyed homes to restore regional stability.
Concerns were also raised regarding the infrastructure at the KAKA Trade Centre, where Kasar noted a critical lack of mobile connectivity and electricity. He emphasized that improving these basic services is essential for the region's economic development. Furthermore, representatives from AMUCO challenged recent statements from the Manipur Home Minister, who had suggested that official reports of foreign aggression were missing. They pointed to the fact that the Indian Army had recently conducted operations against the KNA-B, noting that the proximity of these attacks to military installations warrants a more robust and transparent official response. Local leaders stressed that failure to secure these territories could lead to concerns over the potential erosion of sovereign land.
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