'Solution first'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 06 2025: The Nongpok Ngakpa Lup (NNL) has categorically no one-sided resettlement process should be initiated until a mutually agreeable solution is worked out to the violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023 .

A public meeting was held today at Tumukhong, Imphal East under the aegis of NNL on the Kuki resettlement process initiated by the Government without resolving the crisis.

The meeting was attended by the people of Moirangpurel, Itham and Tumukhong.

Speaking to media persons about the meeting, NNL advisor Dewal Takhellambam pointed out that the crisis has displaced large numbers of people belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities.

It is highly partisan and unacceptable that the Government has initiated a process to resettle Kukis whereas no such process has been initiated for the displaced Meiteis, Dewal said.

There have been reports of many Kuki militants moving into Molham village of Phairengmol region above Tumulok and the Kuki militants were allegedly supplied food by the BSF troops, he said.

After stationing BSF troops in the area, the Government has been working to resettle the displaced Kukis.

This is unacceptable, he said.

He questioned as to why the Kukis are given preferential treatment while Meiteis are not allowed to come back to their villages citing lack of security.

People know well the hidden agenda behind the process to resettle Kukis while keeping Meiteis in relief camps, he said.

The NNL advisor then demanded immediate withdrawal of the BSF troops presently stationed at Molham.

No resettlement process should be initiated until and unless there is a mutual agreement between the two sides, he said.

Saying that there are reports of around 200 Kuki militants including KLA militants are presently camping at Molham village, Dewal warned that the Government would be inviting more trouble in Tumukhong, Itham and Moirangpurel if it (Government) turns a blind a blind eye to these disturbing reports.

Asking the Government to stop treating Kuki militants with velvet gloves, he said that the Meitei people have no objection to any resettlement process but any such process should not be limited to Kukis alone nor should it precede a mutual agreement.

Notably, the Meitei villages of Tumukhong, Itham and Moirangpurel were repeatedly attacked by Kuki militants and their supporters in different phases of the sustained Kuki aggression which was launched on May 3, 2023 .

Many Meitei village volunteers were killed in these attacks.

So far, 250 people have been killed, more than 35 persons are missing and over 60,000 people have been living in relief camps.

Comment