KAMJONG: Several civil society organisations (CSOs) in Kamjong district on Sunday staged a torch rally and sit-in protest at Kamjong headquarters, demanding the immediate revocation of the transfer order issued against Kamjong Superintendent of Police Tholu Rocky, MPS, following a fatal clash at Chassad.
Meanwhile, villagers have alleged the involvement of foreign armed elements, particularly the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B), in Saturday’s confrontation at Chassad. They cited the presence of a person wearing a uniform resembling that of the Myanmar-based armed group among the two individuals reportedly killed in the clash.
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The protest was organised by several civil society organisations, including women’s bodies from Kamjong headquarters, Bungpa Khullen and Saputang, the Kamjong Students’ Union, Zingsho Katamnao Long (Eastern Student Union), the Kamjong Town Committee and the Zingsho Aze Core Committee (South and East).
The Kamjong Students’ Union condemned what it termed the “character assassination” of the district police chief and opposed the subsequent transfer order. The union maintained that public servants are bound by service rules and regulations and that no individual should fabricate information to tarnish an officer’s reputation without evidence.
It also urged the government and police to register an FIR against the source of a social media post allegedly targeting the officer, while demanding the immediate revocation of the transfer order. The other civil society organisations also called for the government to withdraw the order.
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In a separate statement, the Poumai Naga Officers Association condemned what it described as the “character assassination” of SP Tholu Rocky and the subsequent transfer order issued by the Manipur government. The association stated that no individual or organisation should circulate fabricated information to malign an officer’s reputation without evidence and due process.
The Manipur government issued the transfer order following Saturday’s fatal confrontation at Chassad, replacing Tholu Rocky with Jay Barange, IPS. However, it remains unclear whether the clash or the recent spate of violence in Kamjong district had any bearing on the decision.
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Meanwhile, Kamjong villagers claimed that two Kuki armed individuals were killed during Saturday’s confrontation, with one reportedly wearing a uniform resembling that of the KNA-B, an armed group operating in Myanmar.
Villagers further alleged that several houses were damaged by bombs reportedly fired by Assam Rifles personnel during the confrontation. They also claimed that three Naga volunteers sustained injuries in firing allegedly carried out by Assam Rifles personnel. These allegations remain unverified.