Photo Courtesy: ukhrultimes
Imphal: Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah has formally requested that Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh intervene in an escalating dispute between Tangkhul Naga women and Assam Rifles personnel. The standoff, which took place on June 8 at New Haven and Finch Corner, allegedly resulted in injuries to 22 unarmed women and Katho Student Organization president M Kasar after security forces engaged in baton charges and firing.
Muivah argues that the current placement of the Assam Rifles post at New Haven violates the Manipur Village Authorities in Hill Areas Act of 1956, as it was established without the village authority's permission. Local residents have instead requested that the unit be stationed at TM Kasom, a location identified as a high-risk area for ambushes. The MLA pointed out that three previous attacks have occurred near a vulnerable gorge on the Thoubal River, leading to the deaths of two Tangkhul civilians, a police officer, and an FCI truck driver.
In his letter to the Chief Minister, Muivah emphasized the strategic necessity of moving the forces to more dangerous stretches of the road. He wrote, “The ambush site is in a narrow gorge of the Thoubal River, located between TM Kasom and Litan, and is extremely vulnerable.”
The legislator is calling for an immediate judicial inquiry into the conduct of the Assam Rifles during the June 8 incidents. Furthermore, he has urged the government to deploy state forces to secure the vulnerable areas along National Highway 202, specifically between Mahadev and New Haven. These concerns were previously raised during discussions on June 7 involving the Deputy Chief Minister and other Naga representatives.
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