COCOMI Condemns Pallel Firing Incident: Accuses Assam Rifles of Supporting Narco-Terrorist Groups
COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON MANIPUR INTEGRITY (COCOMI)
Correspondence Address: Office of the United Committee Manipur (UCM), Lamphel, Imphal West, Manipur, 795001 - India
Email: cocomimanipur@gmail.com
Mobile No.: +91 9378153742 / +91 7005408341
Ref. No.: 02/COCOMI/PR/2023
Date: 25 Aug, 2023
PRESS COMMUNIQUE
Heavy exchange of fire reported in Pallel, Kakching district and Koutruk, Imphal West district today 8th Sept. 2023 since early morning of the day.
One killed, over 80 mostly unarmed women and teenagers injured in heavy exchange of fire between security forces and armed men as reported from Pallel, Kakching and Koutruk, Imphal West districts since early hours of Friday.
According to ground reports gathered by COCOMI, firing started around 6 am and has been continuing intermittently. The first instance of firing started from a hill range and accordingly the exchange firing continues.
More serious problems erupted when the central security personnel deployed on the highway blocking the movements of local people met a brief confrontation between the Meira Paibi protestors and local volunteers, following which the central security forces fired several live rounds of bullets and tear gas shells, including rubber bullets, injuring 80 of them. One succumbed to injuries from a bullet on the spot. Another two are struggling at hospitals.
It was also alleged from the spot that Assam Rifles opened fire and tear gas shells on protesters at Pallel and Kakching area.
The deceased is identified as Jiten (47) from Kakching. All the injured people are admitted at Jeevan Hospital Kakching. Many severely injured people are shifting to other hospitals in Imphal for further treatment.
Today’s incident is a clear sign that Central Security Forces, particularly the Assam Rifles, are protecting the Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorist Groups since May 3, and today’s incident is a testimony to their open support. They protect and defend Kuki terrorists even at the cost of killing innocent civilians on the street.
Reports also came in that the central forces are now entering various localities and openly shooting indiscriminately at every visible person, including women and children in Pallel Mayai Leikai areas, which is very far from the actual place of gunfighting.
On the other side, the recent statement issued by the so-called ITLF appealing to the government to discuss the matter of Manipur violence in the G20 Summit, which begins today with the arrival of various world leaders, is a clear indication that the recent eruption of gunfights is a pre-emptive strike committed by Chin-Kuki Narco-terrorist Groups like ITLF and SoO groups to draw the attention of visiting world leaders.
We all know that the so-called Chin-Kuki Narco-terrorist propagandists and groups have been trying to mislead and internationalise the issue by feeding fake reports and drawing the sympathy of Christian countries. However, it has always been a failed mission till date as there is no issue of religious enmity in the violence since 3rd May. COCOMI strongly opposes the deliberate attempts of the Narco-terrorist groups to attract the attention of visiting world leaders by creating bloodshed and expecting to occupy the front page of every daily newspaper across the nation.
The unfortunate part is that such acts of treachery and deceitful behaviour of the so-called ITLF and their Narco-Terrorist Groups are being protected by Assam Rifles, and it will test the limit of tolerance by the Meetei community. We condemn the act of killing innocent Meetei volunteers by central forces while their villages are being attacked by Kuki Narco-terrorist groups.
The Government at the State and Centre must take appropriate necessary action immediately to avoid any unwanted reactions from the people of Manipur.
Issued by:
Somorendro Thokchom
Media Coordinator
COCOMI, Manipur