Guwahati: Lt Gen PC Nair Director General of Assam Rifles acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Force in Manipur, despite facing wrongful propaganda.Nair while attending Special Sainik Sammelan in Shillong praised the officers and men of the Force for their unwavering dedication to ensuring a secure environment in the Northeast, which is crucial for the nation’s progress.
He lauded the officers and men for their relentless and resolute efforts in not only curbing violence professionally but also maintaining the state’s integrity.
Emphasizing their steadfast resolve, Lt Gen Nair highlighted the critical role Assam Rifles has played in safeguarding national frontiers in both the Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir, responding to multifaceted security challenges with professionalism and determination.
Nair commended the exceptional leadership and selfless devotion demonstrated by the troops in upholding the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.
Lt Gen Nair extended his best wishes to Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera expressing confidence that the Force would benefit immensely from GenLakhera’s extensive experience in the Northeast. Nair, who has served as the Director General of Assam Rifles for the past three years, is set to retire on 31 July 2024, concluding an illustrious military career spanning 38 years and 7 months.Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) a valley-based Meitei organization has sought withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur.
Large number of security forces have been deployed since the ethnic violence broke out in May last year.COCOMI has declared an indefinite boycott of the Assam Rifles in the state.
In a statement COCOMI recently claimed that the people of the state have long held suspicions about the role of the Assam Rifles during the crisis that began in May 2023. It stated that the suspicions have been allegedly confirmed, and the demand for their withdrawal has proven both correct and justified.
The body added that the state government has allegedly repeatedly expressed discontentment towards Assam Rifles conduct and a group of legislators have also submitted a written letter to the Centre for their withdrawal from the state.
The statement further said that COCOMI, alongside the people of Manipur, demands the immediate withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the state and calls for their replacement with disciplined and dedicated security organizations, such as the BSF, CRPF, or the Army, to manage the India-Myanmar International Border and assist the state’s law enforcement agencies.
It urged community leaders and civil society organisations to abstain from engaging with the Assam Rifles. Villagers should reject any Military Civic Action schemes and benefits offered by them, as these are merely tactics to cover up their deceitful actions, it accused.
In August last year a delegation of 40 ministers and MLAs, including Naga legislators on Manipur, submitted a representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that the Assam Rifles (9, 22 and 37) need to be transferred from their present location of deployment and be replaced by the Central forces, along with state security, to sanitise and neutralise the whole area.
Ten kuki MLAs had petitioned Prime minister Narendra Modi not to remove Assam Rifles (AR) from Manipur.
Earlier a group of 31 MLAs of the state proposed the union home minister to replace the 9th Assam Rifles, the 22nd Assam Rifles, and the 37th Assam Rifles with other central security forces that are more inclined towards promoting the unity of the state.
At least 220 people have been killed, 1,500 injured and 60,000 displaced since violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities on May 3 last year.
The riots began after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
On June 17, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Manipur and sought to increase central forces strategic deployment to restore peace and tranquillity in the state. The central forces were withdrawn from Manipur for deployment in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Union Home Secretary, Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB), Chief of Army Staff (Designate) Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi, Security Advisor to Government of Manipur, Director General of Assam Rifles, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP) of Manipur and senior officials of Army and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Last month chief minister N Biren Singh said violence continues in some areas due to a lack of security personnel, but the situation is improving as security forces which were taken out of the state for general election duties have come back and been redeployed in vulnerable areas. “Now, the situation will be better.”
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