Meiteis & Kukis At Odds On Assam Rifle's Presence In Manipur: Why Meiteis Suspect This Paramilitary Force?

The Assam Rifles have become a bone of contention between the Meiteis and Kukis amid the ethnic violence in Manipur, which has been raging for more than 3 months now.

In separate letters written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Meitei and Kuki MLAs of Manipur have made conflicting demands over the presence of Assam Rifles in the ethnic strife-affected state.

Trustworthy force or obstructing duty?

While 40 legislators, most of whom are Meiteis, sought removal of the country's oldest para-military force from the northeastern state, 10 Kuki MLAs urged Modi not to do so asserting this could jeopardise the security of the tribals.

After clashes broke out between Meiteis and Kukis in May, the Assam Rifles and other central forces, including the Army, were deployed in the state.

BCCL

The Meitei legislators have asked for Assam Rifles to be transferred from their present deployment location and replaced with "trustworthy Central forces" along with state security to "neutralise and sanitise" all threats to peace, security and stability.

On the other hand, the Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs asserted that the Assam Rifles stood the test of time and did their work without prejudice or bias in Manipur.

".. We humbly pray you to control the state forces, curtail their powers and give direction to not violate the Buffer Zones manned by the Central Paramilitary aces for restoration of peace in the state, in public interest," the memorandum read.

The tribal legislators claimed that the Assam Rifles is being "falsely blamed by Meiteis" as they safeguard humanity, are compassionate yet firm in handling tense situations and are unbiased.

Recently, Manipur police filed an FIR against Assam Rifles for 'obstruction of duty' and 'criminal intimidation'. The FIR pertains to the aftermath of the violence in Kwakta, Bishnupur, where three Meitei residents were killed on August 6. The Meiteis claim that the actions of the Assam Rifles allowed the 'suspected Kuki militants' behind this crime to flee.

Why Assam Rifles has a tense relationship with valley residents

The Assam Rifles is a central paramilitary force responsible for border security, counter-insurgency, and maintaining law and order in Northeast India.

It is the oldest paramilitary force in India, originally raised in 1835 as Cachar Levy, a militia to protect tea gardens and the fertile plains of Assam against unruly tribes.

Generally, 20 battalions of the Assam Rifles are stationed in Manipur for border guarding, but after violence erupted, two more companies were added.

The distrust of Assam Rifles among the Meiteis is rooted in a belief that the force favours the Kuki-Zomi.

On August 7, a protest was held by Meitei women activist group - Meira Paibis. They held placards reading, "Go back Assam Rifles" and "Stop using Indian security forces against Meiteis".

Ukhrul Times

In general, clashes between the Meiteis and the Assam Rifles have been commonly seen, with the Meira Paibis blocking the movement of personnel in valley areas as well as preventing the movement of trucks carrying rations and other supplies to their camps.

A primary duty of Assam Rifles is to guard the Indo-Myanmar border. Given that illegal immigration from Myanmar has continued, and poppy plantations have only increased, there are questions raised on the functioning of the paramilitary force.

During the years of counter-insurgency operations in Manipur, when the AFSPA was in force, the role of the Assam Rifles had been much criticised too.

Protest outside the headquarters of the Assam Rifles in 2004

A prominent case in point is the naked protest by 12 Meitei women against the killing of a 32-year-old woman in 2004, Thangjam Manorama Devi.

What the Assam Rifles has to say

Assam Rifles said that when they do find illegal immigrants, they inform the state and the Ministry of Home Affairs so their biometrics are recorded.

They call for fencing the border, which is currently largely unfenced with a Free Movement Regime in place.

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