Manipuri diaspora appeal for peace
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 07 2023: The Korea Manipuri Association (Manipuris living in Korea) met with the Ambassador of India to South Korea at the Embassy yesterday and submitted a memorandum appealing for peace and resolution of the present conflict in Manipur.

In a statement it released to the media, KMA said its members apprised the Ambassador of the current crisis and urged the office to urge New Delhi to take prompt and adequate actions to de-escalate the violence by controlling "Kuki militants and their allies Chin-Mizo terrorists who are infiltrating from Myanmar" .

The ongoing violent incidents in Manipur are affecting thousands of people including children, women, and the elderly.

Over 100 lives have been lost, over 3,000 houses have been destroyed and enormous property has been ruined.

Over 50,000 people are taking refuge like real refugees in their own homeland, KMA said in its memorandum signed by its president, Professor Nahakpam Bidhan.

The Kuki militants are continuously attacking Meitei villages in the presence of about 40 thousand Central Paramilitary Forces who are supposed to act promptly to protect the civil population.

The most dangerous reality is the ostensible behaviours and activities of the Assam Rifles which is "assisting" the Kukis militants to continue committing heinous crimes of killings, tortures, taking hostages, destroying properties of the Meiteis, it said.

KMA, in its memorandum, urged the Centre to discipline the Central forces to protect lives and properties of the Meitei villagers in and around the foothills and end the involvement of the Assam Rifles (AR) immediately and their human rights "violation" against the Meitei civilians by immediate withdrawal of the entire forces (AR) from Manipur.

It then urged the Centre to make the National Highway safe and allow free movement of vehicles by preventing the continuous violent attacks from the armed Kukis and the rioters in Kangpokpi area.

Demanding implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC), the memorandum also urged both the Centre and the State Government to act promptly and check armed infiltrators crossing the Indo-Myanmar border and creating havoc to the lives of peacefully living inhabitants at foothills of Manipur.

It then urged the Governments to put an end to the mass deforestation and poppy cultivation in the hills of Manipur and smuggling of drugs in the region.

Both the Centre and the State Government should act immediately to provide relief, compensation to the victims and begin a rehabilitation process which includes resettlement/rebuilding of houses for the displaced people.

Reconciliation efforts should be taken up to bring peace and effect safe return of the displaced people to their original homes, KMA said in the memorandum.

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