MIYC flays Centre
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 23 2024: India must have a hidden agenda for militarising Manipur, said Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC) as it accused the Indian Government of undermining the federal structure and attempting to break Manipur.

In a statement issued to the media today, MIYC said as the Indian Government sends in large numbers of troops to Manipur, people must stay vigilant and take a united stand to defend Manipur's integrity.

While cases of extortion and abduction are being claimed as reasons behind the militarisation by the Government, it is clear that the Central forces were not demanded by the State but sent by the Indian Government.

It is hard to believe that the immense numbers of forces are here just to curb extortion and abduction cases, said MIYC.

It further drew a parallel between Manipur now and Jammu & Kashmir in 2019, and said there are many similarities in the manner in which the Indian Government has acted in both the regions.

Before Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was scrapped and President's Rule was imposed, the region was militarized heavily, it said.

Stating there have been several claims of the Indian Government waging a proxy war in Manipur and aiding Kuki militants, MIYC cited NSCN-IM's claims that Indian security forces and agencies were providing training and teaching bomb-making to Kuki militants in Phayang village in Kamjong district.

There have also been claims regarding Indian security forces aiding Kuki militants based in Myanmar, and while Bangladesh and Myanmar have cracked down on Kuki militants, questions have been raised against India for not acting against the Kuki militants, it said.

Amid a demand for creation of a Kuki land or Union Territory, there has been alleged collusion between the Government of India and the Kuki militants, it said.

The Government of India, at present is keeping the Manipur Government under "house arrest" .

The same may happen to Meira Paibis and civil society organisations next.

This is what the Centre did in Jammu and Kashmir before it scrapped Article 370 .

People must be aware of this and appropriate steps must be taken to face such challenges, it added.

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