CoTU Targets MP Bimol Akoijam Over Leimakhong Row, Says 'Insulting Indian Army Has Become His Habit'

Alleging MP Bimol Akoijam of fuelling tensions, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills Kangpokpi, on Monday launched a blistering attack on Inner Manipur MP over the July 11 Leimakhong incident, alleging that his repeated criticism of the Indian Army and Central security forces had become a "habit" and accusing him of aggravating an already volatile situation.

The committee alleged that the pandemonium was instigated by none other than Parliamentarian Bimol Akoijam, who on July 11 at Leimakhong evoked the sentiments of the mob over the torching of abandoned houses belonging to the Meitei community.

CoTU claimed that while Akoijam often projected himself as a champion of "checks and balances", his repeated public criticism of the Centre, the Central Armed Police Forces and the Indian Army had crossed the line.

"Confronting or accusing the Centre Security Forces and the Indian Army of dereliction of duty has become more of his habit than a legitimate recourse as a parliamentarian," alleged the committee.

CoTU further asserted that the Kuki-Zo community equally deserved a parliamentary voice to speak for its "survival and security", while accusing the state government of appeasing "radicalised" elements by allegedly overlooking what it described as the continued communal blockade of essential supplies to Kangpokpi district.

The committee also alleged that the prescriptive policy of appeasing a section of what it termed the "radicalised Kacha Naga community" by overlooking their alleged sabotage of the supply of essential goods and commodities, purportedly as a bargaining tool for justice for the six individuals killed, warranted a comprehensive review from both political and security perspectives.

It further emphasised that the progress made by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with the CRPF and the Manipur Police, with the arrest of two individuals suspected to be involved in the case on July 10, deserved to be acknowledged by all.

Maintaining that protests against the prolonged disruption of essential supplies were unavoidable, CoTU nevertheless unequivocally condemned the torching and destruction of properties during the Leimakhong incident and cautioned against any recurrence that could further aggravate the already fragile law-and-order situation.

The committee appealed to the authorities to immediately release the civil society leaders detained in connection with the Leimakhong unrest, claiming they had intervened to contain and control the agitated crowd rather than incite violence.

Instead, it urged the authorities to apprehend those allegedly responsible for obstructing and sabotaging the supply of essential commodities to the people of Kangpokpi.

Appealing to the government to prevent any recurrence, the committee said the July 11 incident between the citizenry of Leimakhong and supporters of the communal economic blockade should be the last such instance allowed under the current dispensation, describing the prolonged disruption of essential supplies as a humanitarian crisis.