UCM negates half baked claims of COAS

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 2: United Committee Manipur (UCM) president YK Dhiren has rejected statements made by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in the media about the Manipur crisis.
He said the Army Chief's statements lack clarity on many things, and his claim that there were no drone bombings in Manipur contradicts the findings here on the ground.
Dhiren said this on the sideline of a Langban Aroiba Heitha Leithaba ritual held at Kekrupat memorial site today to remember martyrs who have sacrificed for Manipur's integrity.
Speaking to reporters, Dhiren rejected the Army chief's claims that there is no foreign hand and drones have not been used to drop bombs.
Dhiren said forensic experts have already been tasked to investigate the use of weaponised drones in Manipur, and a meeting involving the Security Advisor, DGP and high ranking officers of the security forces including the Army's GOC has pointed at involvement of foreign hands.
He further rejected the Army chief's assertion that weapons have not been brought into the hands of the Kukis from Myanmar.
Dhiren asserted the claims that the Army Chief has made has raised suspicion about them working in coordination with the Kuki militants.
The claims of the Army Chief further shows how India is looking at the conflict, he added.
On the statement made by the Army Chief on the influx of Myanmar Nationals into Manipur, Dhiren said it lacks clarity on how India should treat people seeking refuge here.
The Army Chief said that unarmed civilians are seeking refuge in Manipur because of the conflict in Myanmar. However, he has not clearly stated how India should treat such foreign Nationals seeking refuge here. He is not clear on how and where such foreign Nationals should be kept, Dhiren said.
Dhiren said, while the security forces should swiftly detect infiltrators, Myanmar Nationals fleeing conflict may be given shelter in refugee camps as per Indian and International laws. They may be sent back to their country once the situation becomes normal.
When there are Indian and international laws on refugees, the nature of the infiltration happening here is different. The Myanmar Nationals who cross the border  into Manipur want to remain here, and they have established villages. The number of such new villages have grown over a thousand and this indicates the failure of the border guarding force here, Dhiren said.
On the other hand, the Government of India remaining a mute spectator on the abduction of the two Meitei youths is very unfortunate, he said.
The two youths, Oinam Thoithoi Singh and Thokchom Thoithoiba Singh, are being held hostage by the Kuki militants and they have even made a demand for exchange. Even as the Kuki militants have carried out such an act of terrorism, India has remained mute without taking up any action. This also reflects India's look and approach to the Manipur conflict at large, he added.
Dhiren said the Government of India and the State Government must immediately secure the release of the two youths from Kuki militants' captivity.
The UCM president further informed that the committee has started holding consultation programmes for paving way for peaceful coexistence of all communities.
People have lost faith in India. Saving Manipur is now in the hands of the people of Manipur, and therefore, "guided by the idea of peaceful coexistence, we must unite", he said.