Hundreds of womenfolk from Churachandpur district led by several women groups held a sit in protest at Peace Ground,Tuibong Churachandpur District, demanding that the order to replace Assam Rifles with CRPF personnel be revoked.
The protestors were led by the Zomi Mothers Association (ZMA), Kuki Women’s Union (KWU), Hmar Women Association (HWA) and Mizo People Council (MZP), women’s wing.
The protestors held placards which read ‘Stability first! Don’t remove Assam Rifles from Manipur’, ‘AR are key to Manipur Hill’s stability, keep them’ etc while a front banner read, ‘Assam Rifles! We are secure with you! Stay with us - All women of Churachandpur.’
A brief programme was held where ZMA president Chingngaihdon, in her keynote address talked about the reason behind their protest, saying that they feel insecure of the news of replacing the AR with CRPF from buffer zones in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi district.
She said that no other force is as neutral as them and at no cost they should be replaced, which otherwise will be a moral victory to their adversary in the valley of Manipur.
KWU vice president said that the women of Churachandpur must be unified in their demand of posting the AR in the buffer zones.
The KWU leader also said that the history and relation of the CRPF with Churachandpur was not very optimistic “as they are best known for their molestation of a woman a few decades ago, and CRPF do not qualify to replace the AR.”
The protestors later submitted a memorandum for the Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the DC of Churachandpur District, expressing their concern regarding replacement of 9th AR with CRPF Unit in Churachandpur district. The memorandum was signed by the president of KWU, ZMA, HWA and MPC women wings.
