WMC sees red over joint statement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 13 2023: The World Meetei Council (WMC) has claimed that the joint statement issued by 10 MLAs of Chin-Kuki tribes on May 12 endorsed the act of atrocities and violence committed against the 'innocent' Meeteis while ignoring the crimes 'their people had committed' .

In a statement, WMC claimed that the riots that took place in the first week of May in Manipur was the result of an unprovoked attack by Chin-Kuki people along with armed Kuki militants against the Meeteis living in the five districts of Manipur.

"The innocent Meeteis would never have thought even in their dreams that the Chin-Kuki people could commit such heinous crimes against them," the Council claimed.

WMC further claimed that the 10 MLAs have threatened Manipur by declaring, "As elected representatives of our people (Chin-Kuki), we today represent the sentiments of our people and endorse their political aspiration of separation from the State of Manipur" .

Claiming that this group of MLAs deliberately and purposefully defied their responsibility to soothe the mind of the people and bring peace, the Council accused the 10 MLAs of acting in the most communal manner by defending and approving the crimes committed by the people they represent.

"They had played the victim card by claiming that the Manipur Government had failed to protect their people, whereas the data and the sequence of the communal riot show the true picture," WMC claimed and alleged that their (the Chin-Kuki MLAs) action forfeit the dignity, honour and the mandate to be the leaders of the State.

The Council then demanded immediate resignation of the 10 MLAs from the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

WMC also urged the Centre and the State Government to initiate necessary legal action against the 10 MLAs.

"They should be booked under National Security Act for their connivance with the perpetrators so as to remind people in the country and Manipur in particular that nobody is above the law of the land," it added.

Comment