Accelerate probe process into communal clash
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 12, 2023 -
URGENCY felt by the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) to narrate its side of the story vis-a-vis the communal clash is natural and understandable but the student body's lengthy statement not mentioning even a single case of harm done to the Meetei people and torching their houses in Kuki-dominated areas in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts would compel every sane person to doubt that ATSUM's intention is to demonise the Meetei community and draw sympathy from both tribal friends and foes.
As the government of Manipur has already decided to launch investigation into the communal flare-up that led to displacement of thousands of innocent citizens and rendered scores homeless not to speak about the destruction caused, it is expected that ATSUM could furnish hard evidences to assert that the flame of communal riot was lit by the Meeteis as video footages circulated on the social media platforms and news channels point to section of the Tribal Solidarity March participants in Churachandpur district heading towards villages situated on the Bishnupur side of the inter-district boundary along with some persons carrying sophisticated weapons.
Involvement of the well-armed persons among the group of people makes it crystal clear that the march was not intended to settle differences, if any, through peaceful means but to cause maximum damage. Moreover, there are also video clips about groups of armed persons moving alongside the civilians as the state's forces watched haplessly on the roadsides.
Thus, quizzing the men in khakis during the investigation process might help ascertain origin of one of the worst communal clashes to occur in the state.
While it is also hard to believe that Meetei youths would have the audacity to stop the Kuki marchers who had armed persons in their company or burn the Anglo-Kuki War Centenary gate which is in Kuki-populated area only time and the investigation process will tell whether the ATSUM's side of the story has any substance.
Nevertheless, the union skirting cases of intimidating Meetei people and burning down their houses and business set-ups in Churachandpur and Moreh towns, and armed persons continuing to target Meetei settlements in the foothills underscore bid to dilute the real picture of the violence.
Regarding ATSUM's contention that all the reports circulated in national media are biased and concocted, it must be noted that in the first few hours after the clashes national television news networks gave extensive coverage on violent retaliation by the mob in Imphal area whereas acts of arson and violence against the Meetei people in Kuki-populated districts went unreported.
It was only after reports trickled out from strife-torn areas such as Moreh, Churachandpur, Saikul, etc., that the national media seem to have realised about nature and genesis of the clash.
Contrary to the version presented by ATSUM, People's Alliance for Peace & Progress Manipur (PAPPM) and Delhi Manipuri Society told newspersons in New Delhi that Kuki militants spearheaded coordinated arson of Meetei houses in Kangpokpi, Moreh, Tuibong and Chura-chandpur town and around i600 houses/shops/ hotels belonging to the Meetei Hindu/Sanamahi were burned down or targeted during the vicious cycle of violence.
Therefore, it is imperative that the government conduct thorough and impartial probe to expose who instigated the violence.
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.