A day after a mob destroyed a makeshift Assam Rifles post in Manipur’s Kamjong district, the paramilitary force vacated the site on Sunday, January 12.
The incident followed protests by locals against alleged harassment by Assam Rifles personnel during the transportation of timber for house construction, The Hindu reported.
The decision to vacate the post in Hongbei village was made during a meeting attended by an Assam Rifles Brigadier, the Kamjong Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police, and representatives of Tangkhul Naga civil society organizations. Around 20 Assam Rifles personnel subsequently vacated the post.
The unrest began when Assam Rifles personnel intercepted a vehicle carrying timber on January 11, alleging that it lacked proper documentation.
Villagers accused the paramilitary force of exceeding its authority and interfering in state forest department matters. Local MLA Leishiyo Keishing confronted the Assam Rifles post commander, stating that the issue was beyond the paramilitary force’s jurisdiction.
In a video widely shared on social media, Keishing was seen confronting an Assam Rifles officer.
However, the confrontation escalated when the paramilitary force allegedly refused to cooperate with the villagers. The situation turned violent when Assam Rifles personnel reportedly used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters.
In retaliation, villagers destroyed the temporary camp and demanded the force’s complete withdrawal from the area. The unrest spread to neighbouring villages, where residents blocked roads to prevent reinforcements from reaching the scene.
The Assam Rifles has denied the allegations, stating that its personnel were following procedures.
“On January 11, Assam Rifles personnel manning the post at Hongbei inspected a vehicle and discerned that the vehicle loaded with timber did not have mandated documents. Assam Rifles personnel stopped the vehicle following procedures,” a spokesperson said.
This incident reflects ongoing local opposition to the presence of Assam Rifles outposts in the region, with residents claiming they conflict with community interests. However, Kuki groups have previously opposed the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur, describing the paramilitary force as impartial.
The Assam Rifles has been at the center of controversy since ethnic conflicts erupted in Manipur. Meiteis have accused the force of favouring Kukis, while Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2024, opposing plans to shift the Assam Rifles out of the state.
In a related development, the Manipur police filed an FIR against the Assam Rifles, accusing it of obstructing their duties and allowing Kuki militants to escape to safe zones. This marked an unprecedented escalation in the tensions between the state police and the paramilitary force.
The incident followed protests by locals against alleged harassment by Assam Rifles personnel during the transportation of timber for house construction, The Hindu reported.
The decision to vacate the post in Hongbei village was made during a meeting attended by an Assam Rifles Brigadier, the Kamjong Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police, and representatives of Tangkhul Naga civil society organizations. Around 20 Assam Rifles personnel subsequently vacated the post.
The unrest began when Assam Rifles personnel intercepted a vehicle carrying timber on January 11, alleging that it lacked proper documentation.
Villagers accused the paramilitary force of exceeding its authority and interfering in state forest department matters. Local MLA Leishiyo Keishing confronted the Assam Rifles post commander, stating that the issue was beyond the paramilitary force’s jurisdiction.
In a video widely shared on social media, Keishing was seen confronting an Assam Rifles officer.
However, the confrontation escalated when the paramilitary force allegedly refused to cooperate with the villagers. The situation turned violent when Assam Rifles personnel reportedly used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters.
In retaliation, villagers destroyed the temporary camp and demanded the force’s complete withdrawal from the area. The unrest spread to neighbouring villages, where residents blocked roads to prevent reinforcements from reaching the scene.
The Assam Rifles has denied the allegations, stating that its personnel were following procedures.
“On January 11, Assam Rifles personnel manning the post at Hongbei inspected a vehicle and discerned that the vehicle loaded with timber did not have mandated documents. Assam Rifles personnel stopped the vehicle following procedures,” a spokesperson said.
This incident reflects ongoing local opposition to the presence of Assam Rifles outposts in the region, with residents claiming they conflict with community interests. However, Kuki groups have previously opposed the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur, describing the paramilitary force as impartial.
The Assam Rifles has been at the center of controversy since ethnic conflicts erupted in Manipur. Meiteis have accused the force of favouring Kukis, while Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2024, opposing plans to shift the Assam Rifles out of the state.
In a related development, the Manipur police filed an FIR against the Assam Rifles, accusing it of obstructing their duties and allowing Kuki militants to escape to safe zones. This marked an unprecedented escalation in the tensions between the state police and the paramilitary force.
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