Border town limping back to normalcy

Imphal, June 7 (UNI) Normalcy seemed to return today at the international border of Manipur with Myanmar, where tension prevailed following the killing of a youth by Kuki militants on June 3.

Yumnam Roshan was allegedly killed by the Kukis here.

Officials said the Joint Action Committee of the border town at Chandel district and four MLAs and local leaders reached an understanding yesterday and today the district administration announced the removal of prohibitory orders from the area.

The locals demanded the removal of the 24 Assam Rifles from Moreh as they were allegedly supporting a militant group and targeting a particular community.

Four MLAs, Bijoy Koijam, K Ranjit Singh, Jayentakumar and Morung Makunga discussed the demands made by the JAC and informed them that the removal of Assam Rifles was under the purview of the Union government.

''About 13 civilians were killed by Kuki militants who were allegedly supported by Assam Rifles,'' the JAC informed.

The state administration has assured to provide state forces in the border town as demanded by the JAC.

Meanwhile, the Universal Mothers' Organisation(UMO) has urged Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh to resolve the crisis in the border town.

UMO president N Sorojini Leima said the state government pay attention to the problem to avoid a communal clash.

''The Assam Rifles activities should be checked, so that there is no communal tension in the area,'' she said.

UNI