Factual narrative spelt out in memorandum to Prime Minister Modi
CCpur Meiteis seek PM's intervention
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 20 2023:
The Meetei Society (an apex body of the minority Hindu Meeteis of Churachandpur) and the Meitei Youth Organisation, Churachandpur have sought immediate intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi into the ethnic conflict raging through Manipur at present.
A memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister by the two organisations categorically stated that abrogation of SoO with Kuki militants is a prerequisite if at all peace is to be restored in Manipur.
Although violence has ebbed considerably in the valley areas, Kuki militants' persistent attacks on innocent Meitei villages has turned out to be a major setback in restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur, the two bodies said.
Kuldeip Singh, Security Advisor to the Government of Manipur, has on record admitted that many cadres and arms have been found missing from some designated camps of the militants under SoO.
The present conflict in Manipur was ignited when the Kukis-civilians and mili-tants-started torching several Meitei houses at Torbung-Bangla areas in the aftermath of the so called 'Tribal Solidarity March' on 3rd May 2023, participated by many gun-wielding thugs brandishing their weapons.
The violence was meticulously pre-planned and coordinated throughout Kuki dominated areas of Manipur for the creation of Kukiland- a new State exclusively for the Kukis and its kindred tribes whose major chunk of the population are illegal immigrants from Myanmar, the two organisations informed the Prime Minister, said the memorandum.
This unfortunate conflict is neither between tribals and non-tribals nor between Christians and Hindus but between militants-backed Kukis and Meitei civilians, it asserted.
It clarified that the conflict between the Meiteis and Kukis is not at all related with the ST demand of the Meeteis but is the outcome of Manipur Government's stringent action on illegal immigrants, eviction of en-croachers from Reserved Forests/Protected Forests, war on drugs, destruction of large scale poppy plantations and the growing demand for implementation of NRC in Manipur.
Certain policies of the present dispensation in carrying out its Constitutional duties rubbed raw nerves of the Kukis.
However instead of going for peaceful and democratic protests against the Manipur Government for their discontentment, the Kukis resorted to violence and arson by targeting innocent Meitei civilians which is deplorable and highly condemnable, the memorandum pointed out.
Security personnel deployed to control the situation have become sitting ducks for Kuki militants.
Since May 3, two jawans have been martyred at the hands of the Kuki militants and scores have been injured.
The irony is that these same Kuki militants are under SoO (Suspension of Operation) with the Central Government though the State Government has withdrawn from the SoO citing the militants' involvement in poppy plantations and for breaching public order, it said.
The call for setting up of a new administrative unit in Manipur is certainly at the behest of certain illegal immigrants whose narco-terrorism network has infiltrated the political establishment of Manipur.
The antecedents and backgrounds of certain Kuki legislators warrant investigation by reputed agencies.
Perhaps they are unaware of the 2000 years legacy of Manipur, an erstwhile Asiatic Kingdom.
Manipur's territorial integrity is sacrosanct and non-negotiable, it asserted.
The Meetei Society, Churachandpur and the Meitei Youth Organisation, Churachandpur then appealed to the Prime Minister to use whatever means and resources at his disposal to stop the ongoing demolition of Meitei houses in Churachandpur using heavy machinery like JCB and explosives to obliterate every remaining structure and landmarks in Meetei colonies of Churachandpur.
"The ongoing demolition, we feel, is an attempt to wipe out every trace and history of Meetei/Meitei settlement in Churachandpur who happen to be minority Hindus and are economically, socially and politically backward", the memorandum said.
They further appealed that swift arrangements be made for a secure and compact new settlement of all displaced people staying at different relief camps until a permanent solution is brought about.
It also demanded adequate compensation to all the displaced minority Meetei/Meitei people of Churachandpur where about 1263 houses each with sacred Sanamahi sites have been burnt and destroyed; 8341 people including women and children have been displaced and made refugees in their own land; 10 Umanglai temples have been desecrated and demolished.