Protest Against Withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur's Buffer Zones

The Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) staged a protest demanding the Central government reverse its decision to withdraw the Assam Rifles from Manipur's buffer zones. The demonstrators fear that replacing Assam Rifles with the CRPF could destabilize the region, which has been maintained to prevent violence between warring communities.

On Saturday, the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) led a protest demanding the Central government reconsider the decision to withdraw the 9th and 22nd Battalions of the Assam Rifles from Manipur's buffer zones.

The demonstrators assembled at Jantar Mantar, expressing concerns about the potential negative impacts of substituting Assam Rifles with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in these sensitive regions, the KSO stated.

The buffer zones, set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs in May 2023, have been maintained by the Assam Rifles to separate the conflicting Meitei and Kuki communities and curb further violence in the troubled state, the statement mentioned.

A KSO spokesperson highlighted during the rally, 'The Assam Rifles have played a critical role in stabilizing the situation in Manipur's buffer zones. Removing them now might reverse the peace efforts and incite fresh violence.'

The KSO also underscored the Assam Rifles' long-term presence in the northeast, pointing out their deep understanding of the local terrain and socio-political intricacies, as well as the trust they have garnered from the local communities.

(With inputs from agencies.)