Amit Shah reassured integrity, silent on SoO : COCOMI
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 30 2023:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah who landed at Imphal last evening on a four-day visit to the State in connection with the ethnic crisis, has reassured that the territorial integrity of Manipur would not be sacrificed even by an inch.
But the Union Home Minister was silent on the Kuki militants and the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact, according to the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) .
The Union Home Minister held a meeting with several CSOs at the Chief Minister's Secretariat today.
Later speaking to media persons about the meeting at their Uripok office, COCOMI convenor Jitendra Ningombam said that they held a threadbare discussion with the Union Home Minister on the ethnic crisis which erupted on May 3 .
A six-member team of COCOMI comprising CCSK president Jitendra Ningomba, UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam, HERICOUN president L Ratankumar, LIPUL president Somorendro Thokchom and UCM vice-president YK Dhiren submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, BJP Manipur in-charge Sambit Patra and Chief Minister N Biren were also present at the meeting.
COCOMI media coordinator Somorendro Thokchom said that they placed several points before the Union Home Minister.
On COCOMI's and other organisations' position that the territorial integrity of Manipur is non-negotiable, Amit Shah reassured that the integrity of Manipur would be protected under all circumstances.
Categorically stating that the 10 Kuki MLAs' demand for separate administration does not merit consideration by the Central Government, Amit Shah appealed to all the people not to be anxious or apprehensive regarding the particular demand, Somorendro conveyed.
Amit Shah also appealed to the people to keep faith in the Central paramilitary forces who have been flown into the State to control the situation.
Pointing out that the Assam Rifles have been here in Manipur for more than 40 years and they (Assam Rifles) share a very close relationship with the Kukis, the COCOMI urged the Union Home Minister to replace Assam Rifles with another Central paramilitary force.
However, Amit Shah appealed to all the people to keep faith in the Assam Rifles.
He said that the Assam Rifles took a great role in evacuating stranded Meitei and Kuki people to safer places.
It was Assam Rifles troops who evacuated around 1500 people trapped at Serou yesterday.
Amit Shah appealed to the people of Manipur valley to keep faith in Assam Rifles.
On the people's vehement demand for abrogation of SoO with Kuki militants, the Union Home Minister did not say anything concrete.
Several CSOs who met the Union Minister presented a strong case demanding abrogation of SoO.
Regarding the demand for implementation of NRC in the State, Amit Shah stated that the Central Government earlier instructed the Governments of Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram to identify illegal immigrants from Myanmar and detain them according to law.
He stated that due process has been initiated for identification of illegal immigrants and implementation of the NRC, the COCOMI Media Coordinator said.
The CSOs pointed out that the Kuki militants must be stopped from attacking Meitei people and their houses if the present crisis between the Meiteis and the Kukis must be controlled immediately.
If the Kuki militants stop attacking Meitei people, there would be no question of retaliation.
The ones who are burning down houses and opening fire at Meitei homes are Kuki militants.
Meiteis are firing back only in self-defence, the CSOs told the Union Home Minister.
The CSO leaders categorically told Amit Shah to first stop the Kuki militants from attacking Meitei people and their houses before any process of dialogue can be initiated.
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