AR flayed for not ‘honouring pact’

Our Correspondent
KANGPOKPI, Jun16 : Accusing the Assam Rifles authority of 'dishonoring the four points agreement' inked after the Chalwa killing, people of Twilang area held a sit in protest at Chalwa village today.
Mangboilal Lhouvum was allegedly shot dead by Major Alok Sathe, Post Commander of 44 AR, E Coy, Banglabung Outpost on June 4 evening.
In connection with the killing, a four point agreement was inked between the Assam Rifles authority, the State police, and civil society organizations of Kangpokpi under the aegis of Kuki Inpi, Kangpokpi district on June 5.
The four point agreement included, investigation of the incident on the night of June 4, 2021, at Chalwa involving an alleged person (s) of 44 AR E Coy be initiated immediately by the police; the present Company of 44 AR Banglabung Outpost will be removed or replaced by the same company as in Kangpokpi district headquarters at the earliest after approval from Army HQs, New Delhi; a fully functional armed Police Station in the area with 40 strength minimum will be set up at the earliest and the Assam Rifles will compensate for the loss of life to the deceased family with an amount of Rs.10,00,000/- on humanitarian ground of which Rs. 1,00,000/- will be given instantly.
The agreement was signed by Brig. PS Arora, Commander 22 Sector AR, ADGP Manipur Police, Thangminlen Kipgen, general secretary Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi, Thangtinlen Haokip, general secretary, KSO Sadar Hills, SDO T Waichong and TACKA.
The peaceful protest sit-in held at Chalwa was organized under the aegis of Kuki Inpi Twilang and KSO Twilang. The protesters mostly women held banners that read, "Assam Rifles honor your agreement", "Justice to (L) Mangboilal-CSO Twilang block", etc.
"We are compelled to stage the democratic protest to air our discontentment with the Assam Rifles for not honoring the agreement and it is also to convey that the Assam Rifles must honor the agreement", said Enock Kipgen, president KSO Sadar Hills.
Boinem, wife of Chalwa Chief said “we want justice and the agreement must be sincerely honoured by the Assam Rifles if they truly are the friends of the hill people.”
Kuki Inpi Twilang block president, Kamlal Kipgen asserted “even though we live in a remote hill area we know our rights and the Assam Rifles must respect our rights to live” while adding “we respect those who respect us.”
Meanwhile, Thangminlen Kipgen while addressing media persons said that even after eleven days of the killing and the subsequent four points agreement, the Assam Rifles has failed to portray seriousness in fulfilling the agreement. Rather the Assam Rifles seems to be taking other measures to prove that the deceased was not a civilian but a member of an underground militant group, he added.
"It is to our surprise as well that the Assam Rifles would not honor the agreement signed in the presence of Commander 22 Sector Assam Rifles, ADGP Manipur, SDO Tujang Waichong, and CSOs", asserted the Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi secretary.
He added that the victim's family and the CSOs were hurt while the Assam Rifles is looking for other means and measures to change the direction of the investigation by tainting the image of the deceased Mangboilal.
"Don't tag civilian Mangboilal Lhouvum as a member of an underground militant outfit until proven by the Court," asserted Thangminlen Kipgen.
He then urged the Assam Rifles to sincerely and honorably fulfil the points of agreement to regain the trust of the people while adding that it will be very unfortunate and undesirable if the Assam Rifles continue to find other means to fulfil their vested agenda.
Thangminlen Kipgen also said that the CSOs Sadar Hills Kangpokpi have reminded the State Government to immediately fulfil their agreement by activating the Chalwa police station with 40 strength capacity as agreed.
Mention may be made that after the Chalwa killing, there had been reports of a viral post on social media and clarification on the part of the Assam Rifles that the deceased Mangboilal Lhouvum was a member of the Kuki Revolutionary Army, under Suspension of Operations but the outfit had outrightly opposed the allegation.
The wife of the deceased and the people of the area also affirmed that the deceased Mangboilal Lhouvum was an innocent civilian and a daily wage earner.
It was also reported that the accused Major Alok Sathe has applied for anticipatory bail.