Considering deployment of state forces in vulnerable fringe areas of valley: Manipur HM Konthoujam

Manipur home minister Govindas Konthoujam on Saturday said that the state government was actively considering deploying state forces in the vulnerable foothill areas.
The home minister’s assertion came in the backdrop of a demand raised by joint action committee (JAC) in connection with the recent tragedies at Tronglaobi – the killing of sleeping two kids in a bomb attack and killing of three persons in firing by the CRPF personnel toward a group of protesters in the aftermath of tragic incident.
While the JAC demanded deployment of state forces by removing the Central forces from the area, various CSOs protesting the tragic incident across the valley districts questioned the credibility of the Central forces deployed in sensitive fringe areas of the valley districts.
Talking to reporters on the sideline of a government function in Imphal, the home minister said that despite having manpower shortage in the state forces, the state government was considering deploying state forces in the sensitive areas.
The home minister said that investigation into the recent bomb attack was in good progress without divulging further details, saying that “some details cannot be made public at this time.”
He assured that the information will be shared once concrete details are established.
Konthoujam added that search operations by combined forces of state police, paramilitary forces and Army are still going to nab the perpetrator(s).
Notably, during the operations in the hilly areas of Churachandpur district in the aftermath of the tragic incident, security forces have arrested three United Kuki National Army (UKNA) cadres.
The UKNA, however, had denied involvement in the Tronglaobi incident and rejected claims that three of its members had been arrested.
Earlier, on Friday, the home minister visited Tronglaobi village and took stock of the situation in the area. He also inspected the barricade at Uyungmakhong, the CRPF post at P Gelmol village that was stormed by protesters, and the house struck by a projectile that killed two kids.
During interaction with villagers of Tronglaobi, Konthoujam stated that the state government was actively working to address some of the demands raised by the JAC formed in connection with the recent tragedies.
The JAC has been demanding relocation of the Central security forces currently deployed in valley areas to hill areas, and the transfer of responsibility for safeguarding valley districts to state forces.
The JAC also called for a military crackdown on Kuki militants, as well as for the government to take full responsibility for those killed and injured in the incident.
Moreover, the JAC demanded a judicial inquiry into the role of the 8 Battalion CRPF stationed at P Gelmol village and the 2 J&K LI Company at Tronglaobi while calling for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing of the two children and the injury of their mother.
On the other hand, calls for justice and accountability for the recent tragic bomb attack killing two kids and the death of three protesters in firing by CRPF across the valley districts.
Though there were no blocking of roads, sit-in-protests and protest rallies were carried out at various parts defying the curfew.
Womenfolk held protests in their respective localities in Imphal and other parts across the five valley district, expressing profound grief and strongly condemning the killing of two kids in the bomb attack at Trongloabi in Bishnupur district on April 7.
The protesters raised serious concerns over worsening law and order situation, particularly highlighting the vulnerability of residents living in fringe areas.
At some places, the protesters raised slogans demanding accountability while calling for the resignation of the chief minister and the home minister.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people participated in a massive protest rally held today at Moirang in Bishnupur district.
The rally demanded harsh punishment for those responsible for the killing of two kids at Tronglaobi.
The rally also raised strong objections against the CRPF personnel, alleging that they fired upon protesting civilians during the agitation, resulting in the death of three civilians and leaving at least 30 others injured.