Condemnation of CM N Biren Singh's interview
- 12th March 2023 -

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The Kuki Inpi Manipur, an Apex body of the Kuki tribes in Manipur is intensely appalled by the flagrant falsification by the Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh while speaking to Mr. Wasbir Hussain, Editor-In-Chief, NorthEast Live. To that regard, the Kuki Inpi Manipur would like to clarify the following:

That, the Peaceful Mass Rally was organised as a result of pure Public discontent over the extreme disregard of Scheduled Hill Areas and Article 371C of the Indian Constitution by the state government. Further, the Rally was proposed in pursuant to the Constitution of India, Article 19 (1) (b) which grants the citizens the right to assemble peacefully and without arms. Therefore, the Chief Minister, stating that the people are challenging constitutional provisions, is but insensible and repugnant. Further, the subsequent imposition of CrPc Section 144 is a scathing attack on the constitutional right to freedom to assemble peacefully and without arms.

That, the Chief Minister mentioned that rallies were organised in only two districts with only a few sections of the population participating in the rally. However, in actuality, rallies were organised in over six districts, namely; Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Churachandpur, Jiri- Tamenglong, Pherzawl, and in the National Capital New Delhi with as many as 50000 (fifty thousand) participants in Churachandpur alone besides other blocks and districts.

That, the insolent and imprudent terming of the rally goers as encroachers, poppy cultivators, drug smugglers, and illegal immigrants is extremely affronting and regrettable. It is an obtrusive example of the communal prejudice of the Chief Minister against the Tribals and the Kukis in particular. In fact, such illegitimate labelling, and the subsequent discrimination, oppression, and intimidation of the tribals can never be justified.

That, the Chief Minister mentioned that the militant outfits namely Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), and Kuki National Army (KNA) were involved or otherwise influenced the rally. To that matter, the Kuki Inpi Manipur would like to assert and re-assert that no such outfits were involved in or otherwise no outfits influenced the rally. As already stated, the rally was organised as a result of pure Public discontent over the extreme disregard for Scheduled Hill Areas and article 371C of the Indian Constitution. Therefore, the allegation is baseless and therefore also reprehensible as the rally resulted out of extreme disrespect and exploitation of Tribal Land Rights in the name of Reserved Forests, Protected Forests, Wild Life Sanctuaries, Wetland, MLR & LR Act etc.

That, the Chief Minister categorically stating that only illegal immigrants are participating in the rally is unpardonable and ill-suited of a Chief Minister. Moreover, the Thadous are one of the tribes among the Kukis and to assert petty divisive politics with zero genealogical knowledge is arrogant and idiotic at its best. Further, violence erupted at Kangpokpi as a result of the highhandedness of the Commandos on duty. The OC of the Special Commando was especially recorded on video manhandling a woman, trashing and abusing her. Later, the Police fired teargas and even live bullets injuring over 20 people, and causing havoc to the peaceful mass rally.

That, the Chief Minister mentioning that the Government of Manipur will withdraw from the Suspension of Operation (SoO) with KNA and ZRA has no connections to the Peaceful Mass Rally. In fact, it is presumable that the Chief Minister mentioned such to divert the real issue of the tribals’ dissent against his authoritarian governance.

With respect to the subject matters cited above, the Kuki Inpi Manipur strongly condemns the imprudence and arrogance of Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh and his government. Moreover, the unlawful imposition of CrPc Section 144 and the forceful suppression of the citizens’ right to hold peaceful demonstrations is dictatorial and calls for the strongest retaliation. It is the lawlessness of the state administration; its communal bias, and arbitrary and discriminatory approaches that hinders the peace and tranquillity in the state -the Gundaraj governance must end.

(Janghaolun Haokip)
Secy. Information & Publicity
Kuki Inpi Manipur