NEWMAI NEWS | IMPHAL, April 19 – The Operation Summer Storm has kicked up more controversies than praises with condemnations and criticisms from different corners despite security forces claiming it to be one of the most successful operations in the State. Locals and some civil societies have also called for an end to the operation.
The Operation Summer Storm by the security forces at the Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park in Bishnupur district to flush out militants from the area has been termed one of the most successful operations by the security with about 12 militants being killed so far besides five camps being busted and huge amount of arms and ammunition being recovered.
The operation started on April 12. However, of late, it has been criticised that locals were being displaced from their homes, used as human shields and that it was a threat to the Sangai (brow antlered deer).
According to reports, the locals living in and around the Loktak Lake and the Keibul Lamjao National park alleged they were being used as human shields by the security forces and they were being displaced from their homes due to the on-going operation.
Though Col. Rajesh Mishra, PRO, Defence Wing clarified in a press release that the people were only advised to move to a safer place and that operations began only after they were shifted to a safer place, condemnations continue to pour.
Residents of the Loktak lake on April 16, marched to the Chief Minister’s bungalow to submit a memorandum regarding the Operation and demanded an end to the operation. The over fifty rallyists also expressed concern for the safety of the Sangai. The rallyists, in the memo, as per reports, stated they were unable to stay in their homes due to the operation and had to stay in relief camps set up in the area.
As per reports, about 2,500 people affected by the operation are put up in four relief camps set up as Ithai Khunjao, Laphupat Tera Khunou, Arong Khunjao and at Laphupat Tera Khunou Makha. The affected locals have even threatened to boycott the Lok Sabha elections if the operation was not called off.
The All Manipur Tammi-Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup, also demanded an immediate end to the Operation. Stating that much hardship has been faced by the people living in and around the Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao area, the Apunba Lup called for an end to the operation.
Besides, the working committee of the Apunba Lup, while strongly condemning the operation, stated that the operation was against the international law of war. As per reports, the committee maintained the operation was taking away the living rights of the people and devastating their villages.
Also joining the condemnation, MLA RK Anand of the Manipur Peoples Party asserted the use of innocent civilians as human shield by the Army was to be condemned. Stating that such action of the Army was against law of the country, the MLA condemned the act of the Army and stated such act should be stopped.
The Biodiversity, Ecology and Environment Network (BEE NET), Manipur has called for an end to the operation.
The Operation Summer Storm by the security forces at the Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park in Bishnupur district to flush out militants from the area has been termed one of the most successful operations by the security with about 12 militants being killed so far besides five camps being busted and huge amount of arms and ammunition being recovered.
The operation started on April 12. However, of late, it has been criticised that locals were being displaced from their homes, used as human shields and that it was a threat to the Sangai (brow antlered deer).
According to reports, the locals living in and around the Loktak Lake and the Keibul Lamjao National park alleged they were being used as human shields by the security forces and they were being displaced from their homes due to the on-going operation.
Though Col. Rajesh Mishra, PRO, Defence Wing clarified in a press release that the people were only advised to move to a safer place and that operations began only after they were shifted to a safer place, condemnations continue to pour.
Residents of the Loktak lake on April 16, marched to the Chief Minister’s bungalow to submit a memorandum regarding the Operation and demanded an end to the operation. The over fifty rallyists also expressed concern for the safety of the Sangai. The rallyists, in the memo, as per reports, stated they were unable to stay in their homes due to the operation and had to stay in relief camps set up in the area.
As per reports, about 2,500 people affected by the operation are put up in four relief camps set up as Ithai Khunjao, Laphupat Tera Khunou, Arong Khunjao and at Laphupat Tera Khunou Makha. The affected locals have even threatened to boycott the Lok Sabha elections if the operation was not called off.
The All Manipur Tammi-Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup, also demanded an immediate end to the Operation. Stating that much hardship has been faced by the people living in and around the Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao area, the Apunba Lup called for an end to the operation.
Besides, the working committee of the Apunba Lup, while strongly condemning the operation, stated that the operation was against the international law of war. As per reports, the committee maintained the operation was taking away the living rights of the people and devastating their villages.
Also joining the condemnation, MLA RK Anand of the Manipur Peoples Party asserted the use of innocent civilians as human shield by the Army was to be condemned. Stating that such action of the Army was against law of the country, the MLA condemned the act of the Army and stated such act should be stopped.
The Biodiversity, Ecology and Environment Network (BEE NET), Manipur has called for an end to the operation.
