Many question rational of reimposing AFSPA Undeclared war : COCOMI

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 15 : The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has expressed suspicion of the Government of India launching an undeclared war against the  Meeteis using its military might and by imposing martial law.
Speaking to the media at its office over the unfolding situation in Jiribam and the reimposition of AFSPA in six new areas of Manipur, COCOMI spokesperson Khuraijam Athouba said that Chin-Kuki narco terrorists attacked security forces in broad daylight in Jiribam on November 11 and also abducted three women and three children.
The inability of Indian Army and other Central forces to trace and rescue the abductees despite their intelligence network is questionable, Athouba said.
Saying that he has also come across some Kuki groups objecting to the proposal to conduct DNA test of the 10 Kuki militants who were gunned down by security forces recently, he added that the objection by Kuki groups clearly shows the involvement of mercenary forces and proxy armies from Myanmar in the hostile campaign against the Meeteis.
Asking whether the Centre has legitimised the hostility of Kuki militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO) by engaging in talks with them, Athouba said that the topmost priorities of the Centre should be on rescuing the women and children taken captive by Kuki militants.
Athouba asserted that the people of Manipur will never forgive the Government of India  if they cannot ensure safe release of the abductees.
On the reimposition of AFSPA, he said on what grounds the draconian and inhumane Act was reimposed in Manipur remains a big question.
Saying that there is not even a slightest indication of the Central forces stopping the aggression of Kuki militants even at places where AFSPA is in force, Athouba maintained that the Act may have been reimposed by the Centre to crack down on Meetei village volunteers.
He went on to state that the Meitei village volunteers haven't fired a single bullet on the  security forces since the onset of the crisis in May last year.
Kuki militants, on the other hand, have gunned down 14 personnel of Central and State force in the course of the crisis, Athouba reminded.
Asking whether the Centre has launched an undeclared war against the Meiteis by reimposing a controversial legislation like AFSPA, Athouba said that the Centre should clarify the motive for bringing back AFSPA in areas under six police stations.
He also said that COCOMI will submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the Chief  Minister over the abduction of six innocent civilians.