The National People's Women Front has submitted two representations to the Manipur Home Minister seeking justice for families affected by the Kanto Sabal arson and calling for the strengthening of Litan Police Station.
Imphal, July 15: The National People's Women Front (NPWF), the women's wing of the National People's Party (NPP) in Manipur, has submitted two separate representations to the state's Home Minister, Govindas Konthoujam, urging immediate intervention on issues it says are critical to restoring public confidence in conflict-affected areas.
The first memorandum concerns the recent burning of six abandoned houses belonging to displaced Meitei families at Kanto Sabal near Leimakhong in Imphal West district. The second calls for the urgent strengthening of Litan Police Station in Ukhrul district, citing persistent security challenges in the conflict-affected region.
Signed by NPWF Manipur State President Nonibala Sapam, both representations emphasise the need for stronger security measures, timely government action and long-term confidence-building among affected communities.
According to the representation, an NPWF delegation visited the site where six abandoned houses were set on fire before meeting displaced families currently staying at the Khurkhul Mandop Relief Camp.
During the interaction, Relief Camp Coordinator R.K. Sanahal and the affected families shared what the organisation described as their concerns over safety, displacement and uncertainty regarding their future.
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The memorandum states that the families conveyed the emotional distress caused by the destruction of their homes and expressed fears about returning to their native village without adequate security.
NPWF observed that the incident had further weakened the confidence of displaced residents who had already been living away from their homes due to the ongoing conflict.
In its representation, the organisation urged the Home Minister to initiate a comprehensive response to the incident.
Among its principal demands are a fair, impartial and time-bound investigation into the burning of the houses and the identification of those responsible.
The organisation also sought strict legal action against the perpetrators in accordance with the law.
NPWF further requested the government to strengthen security arrangements around Kanto Sabal, deploy sufficient state security personnel in vulnerable areas and prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The memorandum also calls for appropriate compensation and rehabilitation assistance for the affected families while urging authorities to create conditions that would enable displaced residents to return home safely and with dignity.
Another key demand is the protection of abandoned houses and properties belonging to displaced persons until they are able to return.
The organisation maintained that safeguarding such properties remains an important confidence-building measure for families displaced by the conflict.
In a separate representation submitted on the same day, NPWF urged the Home Minister to strengthen Litan Police Station in Ukhrul district, describing it as an important institution in maintaining law and order in one of Manipur's conflict-sensitive areas.
The memorandum states that the recommendation follows a field assessment conducted by National People's Party representatives who visited Litan and surrounding areas.
According to NPWF, the assessment found that police personnel continue to function under demanding operational conditions despite prolonged security challenges.
The organisation noted that the region has experienced repeated incidents of inter-community violence, destruction of property, armed confrontations and prolonged tensions over the past several months.
Given these circumstances, it argued that strengthening the police station's infrastructure and operational capacity has become an urgent necessity.
The representation outlines several measures that NPWF believes would improve policing in the region.
These include the construction of a secure perimeter protection wall around the police station, installation of additional defensive and surveillance infrastructure, deployment of more experienced police officers and trained security personnel, and provision of improved communication equipment, vehicles and protective gear.
The organisation also recommended strengthening accommodation and logistical facilities to support sustained deployment of security personnel. NPWF maintained that police remain the first point of contact for ordinary citizens irrespective of community or ethnicity, particularly in conflict-prone regions.
It argued that a well-equipped police station is essential not only for maintaining law and order but also for building public confidence, responding quickly to emergencies and supporting long-term peace-building efforts.
The organisation stated that strengthening Litan Police Station would benefit all communities residing in the area while reinforcing confidence in impartial and professional policing.
NPWF appealed to the Home Minister to treat the matters with urgency and issue appropriate directions for immediate action. The organisation expressed confidence that timely government intervention would help restore public confidence, improve security and contribute to lasting peace in the affected regions.
