Keithel Lup urges Governor to resolve crisis
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 13 2024:
Khwairamband Nupi Keithel, Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup has sought intervention from the Governor to end the 14-month long violence perpetrated by Kuki militant groups and Kuki narco-terrorists against the Meitei/Meetei community.
The memorandum submitted Tuesday highlighted that the crisis raging in the state since May 2023 is not only marked by acts of violence, but also caused displacement, and destruction of sacred sites.
Accusing Kuki militant groups, which are signatories to the Suspension of Operation (SOO) agreement with the government of India, of waging coordinated campaign of terror against the Meetei community, it mentioned that the crisis has been exacerbated by infiltration of militants from across the porous international boundary.
The violence has left over 70,000 people homeless, forcing them to put up in relief camps with inadequate conditions and basic necessities, apart from claiming the lives of more than 200 individuals, and over 20 still missing.
The memorandum also pointed out the destruction of sacred sites, including Koubru, Kongba Maru, Kondong Lairembi, and numerous household shrines, inflicting deep wounds on the cultural and spiritual fabric of the Meetei community.
The root causes of the conflict, as outlined in the memorandum, include state government's initiatives to tackle drug trade, which has long been associated with certain Kuki groups, drives to prevent poppy cultivation and deforestation of hills, initiatives to implement National Register of Citizens (NRC), and conserve reserved forest areas by preventing encroachment.
The memorandum underscored that narco-terrorism has not only targeted the Meetei community but also caused suffering to all communities in the state, and affected livelihoods of daily wage earners, students, youth, and budding entrepreneurs.
The women vendors' organisation expressed deep concern over the government of India's perceived inaction, despite the SOO agreement with Kuki insurgents.
The memorandum pointed to the perceived alignment of central forces with Kuki militants against innocent Meeteis, which has fuelled sentiments of ethnic cleansing.
The removal of unified command post from the chief minister has further undermined security and governance, leading to loss of faith in the Union government among the people of Manipur, the memorandum said.
As such, the memorandum appealed to the Governor to initiate an independent inquiry into the acts of violence and human rights violations perpetrated by Kuki narco-terrorists and called for facilitating dialogue sessions between all stakeholders, including local community leaders, women s organisations, and government representatives, to foster reconciliation and peace.
The memorandum urged the Central and state governments to take decisive action against the Kuki narco-terrorists, ensure enforcement of law and order, and provide protection to vulnerable communities.
Additionally, the memorandum requested for immediate humanitarian aid, including trauma counselling, legal assistance, and livelihood restoration programmes for the displaced and affected individuals apart from emphasising that the prolonged conflict and acts of narco-terrorism have created an untenable situation for the Meetei community and others in the state.
They implored the Governor to take immediate and effective steps to address the crisis and bring about lasting peace in the state.
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