Assam Rifles vacate camp destroyed by mob in Manipur

PTI, IMPHAL, JAN 12, 2025: A day after a makeshift camp of the Assam Rifles was vandalized by an irate mob in Manipur's Kamjong district, personnel from the paramilitary force vacated the premises on Sunday, officials said.

The mob had stormed into the camp in Hongbei village on Saturday, destroying it over allegations of harassment and restrictions on timber transportation. Following the incident, an understanding was reached between both sides during a meeting attended by representatives from Tangkhul Naga civil society groups, Assam Rifles, Kamjong district superintendent of police, and the deputy commissioner on Sunday.

"The situation remained calm, and no untoward incident was reported on Sunday," the official added.

The Assam Rifles had established a checkpoint and constructed a temporary camp in Hongbei, leading to accusations from residents of neighboring villages about harassment and restrictions on movement. Villagers from the Kasom Khullen block in the Naga-majority district stormed the makeshift camp of the 40 Assam Rifles and dismantled it on Saturday.

In response, the Assam Rifles dismissed allegations of harassment and restrictions. A statement clarified that on January 11, personnel manning the post in Hongbei had inspected a vehicle loaded with timber, which lacked the necessary documentation. Following standard procedures, Assam Rifles personnel stopped the vehicle.

The paramilitary force further alleged that "nefarious elements instigated the local population to pressure Assam Rifles personnel into releasing the vehicle" and claimed that the crowd turned violent, prompting Assam Rifles personnel to use a calibrated response, including tear gas shells and firing in the air to disperse the protesters. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident.

The Assam Rifles is one of the central forces deployed in various parts of Manipur, which has been gripped by ethnic violence between the Kukis and Meiteis, resulting in over 250 deaths and thousands left homeless since May 2023.