Manipur: Paramilitary forces’ brutality sparks outrage

The recent incident of brutality and harassment by the Paramilitary forces stationed at 3rd Assam Rifles Tengnoupal has sparked outrage and condemnation from the Maring Frontal organizations (MFOs).

Comprising of the Maring Uparup Assembly (MUA), The Maring Students’ Union (MSU), and the Maring Napuiya Yinglam (Maring Women Organization – MNY), the MFOs have expressed strong disapproval and condemnation of the inhuman act of violence against Mr. Dk. Korungthang.

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of harassment and high-handedness of the Paramilitary forces against the people of the eastern Maring community.

According to the MFOs, Mr. Dk. Korungthang, a resident of Khukarthil village, along with his associate Mr. Ds. Moran, was on his way to N. Satang village via Machi on the evening of 30th January 2024, when they were stopped and detained by the personnel of 3rd Assam Rifles at the junction of Sansak road.

The two were severely beaten after being blindfolded, and their personal belongings, including a considerable sum of Rs. 4 lakhs for business purposes and a Gypsy vehicle driven by Mr. Dk. Korungthang, were taken away by the military personnel.

The MFOs have vehemently condemned this act of barbarism and called it an act of terror. They have accused the Paramilitary forces and Assam Rifles of continuously harassing the people of the eastern Maring community.

The MFOs have stated that such acts of terror and harassment have been happening for a long time, and it has become intolerable for the innocent public.

The organizations have also issued a strong warning to the Central Paramilitary forces to immediately stop harassing the people of the Maring tribe. They have called the action of the Assam Rifles draconian and have emphasized that the people living in the eastern Maring region feel insecure and unsafe due to the constant fear of being harassed by the military.

The MFOs have also rejected the false charges made by the Paramilitary forces against Mr. Dk. Korungthang and have deemed them baseless. This incident has caused great distress among the people of the Maring community and has further instilled fear in them when they see the presence of the army in their area.

In light of the event, the MFOs have demanded that the concerned Assam Rifles immediately return the cash and Gypsy allegedly taken from Mr. Dk. Korungthang within 24 hours. Failure to meet this demand will result in further agitation and protest from the general public of the Maring community and the Naga community as a whole.

The MFO has also urged the authorities to take necessary action against the personnel involved in this brutal act of violence and to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. They have also called for strict implementation of measures to protect the rights and safety of the people of the eastern Maring community from any form of harassment and intimidation by the military.

The MFOs further urged all Naga Civil Society Organizations and concerned Naga citizens to take a stand against the terrifying, brutal, and heinous actions of the Central Paramilitary forces.