Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Sunday assured a delegation of residents that State security forces would be deployed in the Nongshum area of Imphal East to address security concerns arising from the proposed relocation of a designated camp of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF).
The assurance was given during a meeting at the Chief Minister‘s Secretariat with representatives of the Iramdam Kanba Lup (IKAL) and other local organisations, who expressed concerns over the reported shifting of the UNLF camp.
The meeting followed widespread protests and road blockades organised by women and local residents in the Khundrakpam constituency on June 27. The demonstrators opposed the relocation of the camp, citing fears over the security of villages in the surrounding areas.
Earlier, protesters had intercepted a vehicle carrying logistics, burned military uniforms and demanded that the weapons of the departing UNLF cadres be handed over to local residents for self-defence.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Th Sanjoy, president of the United Committee, Pukhao Makeng Dolaithabi, said the delegation urged the Chief Minister to prevent the relocation of the camp.
According to Sanjoy, the Chief Minister informed them that the issue is linked to peace negotiations being conducted by the Central government and that the State government has limited authority to intervene in the matter.
However, he said the Chief Minister assured the delegation that the Nongshum area would be considered for the deployment of State security forces to strengthen security and maintain law and order.
Residents maintained that the presence of the UNLF camp has served as an important security buffer in the peripheral region and expressed concern that its relocation could create a security vacuum. They requested the Chief Minister to convey their concerns to the Centre and seek a reconsideration of the proposed move.
Congress MLA Th Lokeshwar also attended the meeting and extended support to the residents, urging that adequate security arrangements be ensured for the affected areas.