Meant for international borders, not within country: Meira Paibis call buffer zones in Manipur 'unconstitutional'

Meira Paibis, a group representing Meitei community in Manipur, have questioned the legitimacy of buffer zones in the state, calling them "unconstitutional". They reasoned that buffer zones are meant for international borders and not for within the country, reported The Hindu.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi on Wednesday, the women leaders also raised their voices against the deployment of the Indian Army’s Assam Rifles and other Central security forces in the conflict-torn state, demanding they be replaced with other units.

“If 60,000 security forces cannot keep the peace, the government should just pull everyone out," the publication quoted Lourembam Nganbi, a Meira Paibi leader and President of the AMKIL (United Mothers to Protect Manipur), as saying.

A "buffer zone" divides the Kuki-dominated hill districts like Churachandpur and Meitei-dominated valley districts like Bishnupur. Forces, mainly central security forces, have been deployed in these "buffer zones" to prevent any escalation of the ongoing violence. But there have been sporadic incidents of firing between "armed miscreants" belonging to both the communities that have kept the region on the boil.

Nganbi also refuted and responded to the allegations of the security officials that “civilian women’s groups” had been obstructing them from doing their duty.

“We are being targetted and defamed as part of propaganda. We have risen time and again to protest for justice and peace. And we have a long history of protesting not just against the Army, but the Centre, the State government and the police."

Manipur has been witnessing frequent clashes between the majority Meitei community and tribal Kukis since May 3 and more than 160 people have reportedly lost their lives so far.

On Tuesday, three tribals belonging to the Kuki-Zo community were shot dead allegedly by militants of banned terror groups in Kangpopki district in Manipur, officials said.

They said the assailants had come in a vehicle and attacked the villagers between the Ireng and Karam areas located in the bordering areas of Imphal West and Kangpopki districts.

(With agency inputs)