Imphal: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) on Friday has alleged that Manipur’s newly opened Khongsang Railway station is being used to ferry guns and ammunition into the state with full knowledge of the state government.
“We fear that these weapons will be used to attack Kuki-Zo tribal settlements.In May, more than 4,000 weapons and over 2 lakhs ammunitions were looted from armouries in Imphal and the surrounding valley by Meitei mobs, and these weapons are most likely being used in the majority community’s ongoing ethnic cleansing campaign,” stated ITLF press statement.
It further stated, “We request the relevant authorities to look into the matter and stop the use of trains to bring more weapons. Train operations in Manipur were suspended on May 5, 2023 when the law and order crisis started in the state. Only one freight train carrying essential commodities has entered Manipur since then,”.
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer Sabyasachi De said, “Moreover, Khongsang Railway station has acted as a base for a Territorial Army Company. This company is responsible for the safety of Railway Staff and assets in the region. ITLF is completely misleading and has been issued with an aim to create panic among the public regarding Railways,”.