Imphal, July 1: Inner Manipur Lok Sabha MP, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has slammed security forces for enforcing what he termed as an “unconstitutional and imaginary” buffer zone in conflict-hit Manipur, accusing them of contributing to deepening communal fault lines.
The Congress MP’s criticism came after he was denied access to Phougakchou-Ikhai Makha Leikai Keithel (market) in Bishnupur district, an area under his parliamentary constituency on June 29.
Speaking to reporters from his residence in Imphal on Tuesday, Bimol said the restriction violated Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of movement to Indian citizens.
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“This so-called buffer zone has become a tool for communal segregation, and it appears to be backed by security forces,” Bimol said. “This kind of selective enforcement is unconstitutional and is fueling more division.”
Bimol recounted that despite the presence of Army personnel and other security forces, he was prevented from entering the area, while civilians from other communities were allowed through. He posted about the incident on social media platform X, stating, “I, an elected Member of Lok Sabha, was stopped from visiting Phougakchou-Ikhai Makha Leikai Keithel.
Civilians from other communities were permitted entry in front of me. This is nothing less than a state-sponsored communal division.”He said the buffer zone, first erected by 6 Assam Rifles in May 2023 as a temporary measure to control mob violence, has since evolved into a symbolic line of separation between communities. “It is not only unconstitutional, but it has institutionalised a form of apartheid within the state,” he alleged.
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Bimol then highlighted two recent incidents involving attacks on farmers. On June 16 in Imphal East, Meitei farmers were allegedly stopped by members of the Kuki community from working in their fields over land ownership disputes. In a separate incident on June 20 in Bishnupur’s Phubala area, a farmer sustained bullet injuries in an alleged attack by armed Kuki militants.
“These are not isolated events,” Bimol said. “They reflect a pattern of targeted intimidation to stop Meitei farmers from resuming agricultural activity.”
Despite the central government’s earlier clarification that no official buffer zone exists in Manipur, the Congress MP accused security forces of continuing to enforce one in practice.
He concluded, “The state is not divided by ideology or faith. It is being divided by the actions of those who are supposed to protect it.”
(Newmai News Network)