Following the confrontation between locals from the Kasom Khullen Sub-Division Range in Kamjong District, Manipur, and Assam Rifles personnel stationed at Hongbei village on Saturday, January 11, the Assam Rifles vacated its makeshift camp on Sunday. The decision was reached during a meeting attended by key officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Kamjong, the Superintendent of Police of Kamjong, Brigadier Sandeep Singh of the Assam Rifles, and representatives from Tangkhul Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
K. Yarchuiso, President of the Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long (TAKL), confirmed the development to Ukhrul Times, stating that the Assam Rifles personnel packed up and left the camp following the meeting. Yarchuiso also mentioned that a follow-up meeting will take place on Monday at the Ukhrul Headquarters, where the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of the Tangkhul tribal community, will be present.
It should be noted that the Assam Rifles had established a checkpoint and temporary checkpost at Hongbei village. However, local villagers from the surrounding areas had accused the Assam Rifles of harassment and restricting their movement. The military personnel, for their part, have denied these allegations in a statement.
Regarding the January 11 incident, in which the Assam Rifles personnel were accused of detaining vehicles carrying materials for the construction of a local individual’s house, the Assam Rifles issued a clarification. The Assam Rifles, while strongly refuting the allegations of harassment, clarified that “Assam Rifles personnel on January 11, manning the post at Hongbei, inspected a vehicle and determined that it was loaded with timber that did not have the required documents. Following procedures, Assam Rifles personnel stopped the vehicle.”
The Assam Rifles also revealed that “nefarious elements instigated the local population to force Assam Rifles personnel to release the vehicles.” The clarification further maintained that “the crowd turned violent, and Assam Rifles personnel used an appropriate and calibrated response.” It also added that senior officials from the Assam Rifles are in discussion with the administration to resolve the issue.
In response to the incident, the Tangkhul Naga Aze Longphang (Southern Tangkhul Naga Union) issued a public notice on Sunday outlining two resolutions following an emergency meeting. The resolutions included halting the movement of Assam Rifles personnel in their jurisdiction and uniting the local authorities, women’s unions, and youth groups to press for their demands until they are met.
(With inputs from Ukhrul Times)
