MMAB draws analogy between B'desh unrest and Manipur crisis
Suggestions forwarded to Shah to resolve crisis
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 13 2024: Drawing a striking similarity between the Manipur crisis and the unrest in Bangladesh, the Manipuri Meitei Association Bangalore (MMAB) has forwarded certain suggestions to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in order to bring an end to the violence in Manipur.

The MMAB submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister on August 12, 2024 and pointed out that the protests in Bangladesh, which ultimately led to a military coup, were never truly about the quota system.

The unrest began after the High Court of Bangladesh reinstated the 30% reservation on June 5, 2024, effectively allocating 54% of seats to reserved categories - a policy that had been abolished in 2018.While the initial demand was to end this quota system, many protesters also emphasized that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions to the war, regardless of their political affiliations.

Subsequently, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh ruled on 21st July 2024 to significantly abolish the reservation, making 93% of seats available under merit for the unreserved category.

If the protests were genuinely about the reservation system, this ruling from the Supreme Court should have been a cause for celebration.

However, despite this, the protests escalated, eventually culminating in a military coup.

These events point to the influence of external forces, as even former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted in various forums and media.

The crisis in Bangladesh is a critical geopolitical development, and it is clear that external forces played a significant role in destabilizing internal security and law and order in Bangladesh, the MMAB asserted.

Similarly, the protest organized by the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) against the Manipur High Court order on May 3, 2024, in Churachandpur was never genuinely about legitimate judicial proceedings.

This has become increasingly evident as ATSUM has not pursued their initial demands.

Instead, the violence appears to have been premeditated by Kuki militant groups and drug cartels to advance their agenda for the creation of Kukiland (Zalengam).

"Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also highlighted the influence of external forces attempting to establish a Christian country carved out of Myanmar, Bangladesh, and parts of Northeast India�a premeditated agenda of Kuki militants that aligns with our assessment of the creation of Kukiland (Zalengam), with power dominated by Kuki militant groups", the MMAB said.

These remarks from a former head of State cannot be dismissed lightly as the ongoing violence in Manipur is likely fuelled by external agencies and drug cartels aiming to create internal disturbances, disrupt law and order, and desecrate ancient sacred sites.

The crisis in Manipur bears striking similarities to the situation in Bangladesh: the issue of Manipur crisis has been framed around reservations, obscuring the deeper motives; students are being used as the public face to achieve broader political agendas; the involvement of foreign and external agents cannot be ruled out and the large scale, speed, and severity of the violence in Manipur are unprecedented and indicative of premeditation and potential external orchestration, the MMAB asserted in their memorandum.

The MMAB then laid down certain suggestions before the Union Home Minister to bring an end to the prolonged violence in Manipur.

Strengthening International Border Security: It is imperative to physically secure and dominate the international boundary to prevent the free movement of Kuki militant groups from Myanmar and to control the supply of sophisticated arms, ammunition, and drugs across the border.

This will disrupt their financial networks and reduce their influence.

Suspension of SoO (Suspension of Operations): Prompt and decisive action must be taken against the armed Kuki militants who are terrorizing innocent villagers in the outskirts and foothill areas at will.

Recent attempts to undermine a Peace Treaty in Jiribam highlight the premeditated plans to instigate and prolong the violence.

Without controlling these militant groups, peace cannot be achieved.

Implementation of NRC followed by Census: No illegal immigrant should be granted citizenship.

A comprehensive census with physical verification is crucial to identify the rightful tribes and delist illegal Kuki immigrants from the ST list.

This will effectively address the issues of illegal immigration and ensure that legitimate rights are protected.

Constitutional Protection and Scheduled Tribe Status for Meitei Community: The rightful demand of the indigenous Meitei people of Manipur should be reviewed thoroughly, including a study of socio-ethnographic factors, to provide them with constitutional protection and Scheduled Tribe status, safeguarding their rights and representation.

The MMAB has also submitted copies of the same memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Security Advisor to Government of Manipur Kuldiep Singh.

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