The Village Volunteer Force (VVF) has strongly condemned the alleged unwarranted intimidation of VVF general secretary Athokpam Chinglemba by Meetei Leepun chief at Chinglemba’s residence in Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri, Imphal.
“We condemn such atrocious acts and appeal to authorities to take befitting legal action against Meetei Leepun chief Pramot,” VVF spokesperson Yumnam Jiban said on Thursday.
Speaking to media on the sidelines of the VVF meeting convened on the topic ‘Yeknabadagi Ngakthoklaga Senmitlon Chaokhathanduna Meitei Khunai Kallasi’ at Moirang Kumam Leikai near INA, the VVF spokesman demanded the Meetei Leepun chief to publicly clarify his actions swiftly.
“The Meiteis have no shortage of enemies at the moment and therefore, it is unfortunate that we have started to turn on each other for vested interests,” he said.
On the event, Jiban highlighted that the meeting had been organised to prioritize the economic status of Manipur and upgrade it. “The conflict has brought all sorts of hardships to Manipur but we have to remain focused and maintain the economy,” he said.
He stated that VVF had been taking the lead role in protecting and safeguarding Manipur from vested groups who want to destroy it.
“Kukis threw the first punch and waged war against the central and state government. VVF has been defending against the onslaught and will continue to do so, if need be,” he said.
He stated that VVF had convened the meeting of volunteers to rejuvenate the economic trajectory of Manipur. We do not know how long this conflict is going to last as such we have to make the state’s economy flourish, he added.
He further expressed disappointment over authorities’ failure to initiate any concrete measures to resolve and rejuvenate the economy. “They have failed to take up any feasible initiatives to uptick the state’s economy,” he said.
He also maintained that VVF was not against the central and state government but against Kuki’s demand for a separate administration.
He added that the Kuki demand was a direct threat to the Indian union and that the disintegration of Manipur would result in disintegration of India.
VVF central committee general secretary Athokpam Chinglemba, VVF central committee member Laiphrakpam Boy among others were present during the meeting.
