Ukhrul: The villages of Kamjong District in Manipur, which share international border with Myanmar, have accused the Indian Security Forces of involvement in the ongoing unrest in Myanmar. The villagers fear that peace at the border is seriously threatened and alarmingly compromised due to militarization and the large influx of refugees from Myanmar into Kamjong District.
Zingshophai Choro is situated at Indo-Myanmar Border Pillar No. 5, 6 & 7 (New Border Pillar No. 93, 94 & 95). K. Ashang Khullen Aze, with 35 houses and a population of 118, is located at International Border Pillar No. 8 (New Border Pillar No. 92). Wanglee Namlee is situated near International Border Pillar No. 8, 9 & 10 (New Border Pillar No. 89, 90 & 91).
“We are very close to the border with Myanmar, and every day, we can hear bombs exploding on the Myanmar side. Now, we are seeing more and more Indian paramilitaries being stationed around our area,” stated S. Hungyo of K. Ashang Khullen Aze.
It is learnt that two companies of Assam Rifles and other security forces are being deployed and stationed at the stretch of Aloyo and Namlee, a distance of about 12-13 km.
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Headman of Namlee, L. Kathing, stated, “What we are unhappy about is that the Assam Rifles and others, referred to as ‘para-regiment‘ [Headman: “I have not seen them, but our villagers who have gone to the jungle have met them and informed me”], are taking part in the war in Burma. They [Indian Security Forces] have dropped bombs inside Burma using drones. We have clearly seen the drones moving towards Myanmar territory. We do not want such actions. I am responsible for my villagers, and I don’t want war in our area or let anyone go through fear. This could also threaten our security. We are terrorized by the regular bombing through drones, and we are unhappy to witness all these activities being taken up by Indian Security Forces in the border area. We request the government to look into the matter and bring about the best solution, and also not put our village’s peace and security under threat.”
Headman of Wanglee, T. Tuithung, during an interaction with media persons, informed, “I have already conveyed to the Assam Rifles stationed in our village to move out at the earliest. We are now suspicious of their activities and movements. There is a large presence of security forces around here. They are blatantly moving about freely. We are worried for our women and children. I am old, and it is unpleasant to see the security forces like that. The vehicles would go off fully loaded, and when they return, only a few people would be in the vehicles. I do not know Hindi and therefore cannot even ask them what is going on. We just know they are up to something. They will come with 20-25 in a truck, drive towards the border, but come back with just 4-5 people in the evening. Where are the rest of the people? Transporting their cadres or underground towards the border? They should move out immediately because we want peace and tranquility in the region.”
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R. Keishing, VA of Namlee, informed, “The Assam Rifles had set up structures a little away from the village without taking permission from the village headman. The villagers, led by womenfolk, tried to stop them, but the paramilitary refused to remove the structure. Instead, they threatened us, saying we could not touch it. We dare not touch it. We don’t know what it is for, whether it is for wireless communication or taking pictures; we just stayed away. We have tried to contain the movement of people within the village, but every now and then, some would move into the forest and report the presence of the army. We are terrorized by the violence and clandestine presence of a large group of security forces here. We are not used to this. Seeing their regular movement around here, we think they are not here to provide us security but to abet war on the border.”
“To date, the Indian security forces deployed at the border have never called on the village headman or any members of the village councils of Namlee. They move directly into the Kuki refugee camp (we have set up separate camps for the Kukis, Vaipheis, and Burmese). So, we wonder why they are here. We went up the hill to look for a missing person. We met the security forces, and they asked why we were moving about without taking their permission, saying they had sent two groups for a mission inside the Myanmar border. We explained that we were looking for a missing person,” added R. Keishing.
“Mine bombs planted at the border. By whom and for what?” villagers at the border asks as fear grips the indigenous settlers.
In the first week of May 2024, the villagers of Kangpat, Zingshophai Choro, K. Ashang Khullen Aze (KAKA), Wanglee, and Namlee went searching for a missing person at the border towards Myanmar. During the joint search operation, a dog accompanying its owner stepped on a planted mine bomb, which exploded and injured a civilian and the dog.
“About 4 kilometers from here, we don’t know who has buried those mine bombs, but recently, a civilian was injured when a mine bomb exploded. There is no doctor around here, but to save his life, we all did what we could, and he is fine now. With the ongoing war on the border, we don’t know who is responsible for the mine bombs, whether it is the Assam Rifles or the Burmese or others. What we want is to allow free movement of civilians and let us carry out activities without disturbances,” stated S. Hungyo of KAKA.
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Today, villagers are afraid to graze their cattle at the border, fearing for their lives. They cannot go to the jungle to forage for food. They are afraid there could be more mine bombs planted.
A. Rungsung stated, “The Kukis are at war in two geographically very different places with different opponents. One cannot help but wonder how an unorganized force is fighting a very organized war. How have they persevered for so long? Who is helping them? From where are they getting their arms?”
An Indian army officer, during an interaction with media persons, candidly admitted, “KNA or KNA (B) are the same. On the Myanmar side, they are known as KNA (B) and just a change of nomenclature when they cross the border.”
Lately, Indian Security Forces have apprehended many Meitei underground cadres at the border. However, there is not a single report of Kuki underground being apprehended at the border.
More and more refugees are pouring in from Myanmar towards the Indian side and outnumbering the local populace. For the indigenous community, there are apparent multiple threats from militarization and the influx of refugees at the border.
S. Hungyo of K. Ashang Khullen Aze (KAKA) stated, “I don’t know what guideline is there with regard to refugees. Around 350 refugees are living here. We are 35 households with a population of 118. We are seeing changes in our day-to-day dealings after the arrival of the refugees. On humanitarian grounds, we want to accept them, but there are gaps and consequent differences and difficulties between us since we belong to different ethnicities. We don’t know when they can return to their homes. Therefore, we would like to appeal to the government to let the refugees live within a demarcated area with strict guidelines. This is necessary because we are much less in population with 118 to their 350 numbers. There are remarkable changes in our village with their arrival. There is strain on our resources. For example, the firewood from our forest that could be used for one year is being consumed within three months. This is just one example but a good indicator of what is going on.”
L. Kathing, Headman of Namlee Village, while interacting with the media team, informed, “Because of the war in Burma, many Burmese refugees are taking shelter here. They came here for the first time in November 2023. More than 1,100 refugees came at that time. This month, 187 more have turned up. Understanding their dire situation, we have never refused them shelter. Further, we request the government to give assistance to the refugees still living here. About 150 have gone back, but more than 1,000 are still here. In addition, there are refugees who entered the village secretly looking for food. They all need assistance. We have helped them as much as we can, including rice. But, if the government can give assistance, it would be of great help.”
The team of District Administration of Kamjong District, led by SDC of Kasom Khullen, Orient Thansing RS, and ASI M. K. Worthing, Namlee Police Outpost Commander, are at the border for capturing biometric details and taking information about the new influx of refugees. It is learnt that 259 new refugees have moved in from Myanmar towards the Indian side as of May 16, 2024.
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