The Assam Rifles facilitated a visit of Lamsang MLA, Meira Paibis and local Meitei leaders to Phaileng Ridge to dispel the apprehensions of Meiteis residing in nearby villages.
The AR said in a release that amid the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, gunfight between armed miscreants has been going on since the past week in areas around Phaileng Ridge and there are rumours among the villagers of the presence of Kuki miscreants on top of the Ridge.
Columns of 22 AR are deployed in the area for ensuring security and the battalion has taken various steps to build confidence with local populace, it added.
In continuation of these efforts, the battalion took the initiative to dispel the apprehensions of Meiteis residing in the villages near Awang Leikinthabi and Phaileng Ridge that armed Kuki miscreants are occupying the ridge. Thus, the battalion facilitated a visit of Lamsang MLA Rajen, local Meitei leaders and Meira Paibis to Phaileng Ridge to show them that there is no presence of Kuki miscreants on the ridge and only AR troops are present there.
It also mentioned that after the visit, Meira Paibis and local Meitei leaders were convinced and relieved that only AR troops were occupying the ridge and there was no presence of any miscreants.
Post their visit, MLA Rajen gave a statement to the press that only troops of Assam Rifles are occupying the Phaileng Ridge and reassured the locals that they do not have to be in fear of any threat from Phaileng Ridge. He also requested the locals and the media houses to not spread any false and unverified news.
