Meiteis betrayed, says FOCS
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 03 2024: The Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) has vehemently condemned the fresh arson of three Meitei houses at Jiribam's Lalpani yesterday.

Three Meitei houses in Lalpani were burnt down by the Kuki militants yesterday when there has already been an agreement between the civil society organisations of the Meiteis and the Hmar-Paite communities to return to peace, said FOCS in a statement.

The fresh arson shows that they don't want peace in Jiribam and in Manipur, added FOCS.

FOCS said the Kuki militants have been emboldened to carry out acts of terrorism against Meiteis due to the "support" they get from the Assam Rifles.

Even as the Kuki militants fired on Meitei settlements and people using mortars and other sophisticated weapons, the Assam Rifles and the Government of India have not taken any action against them.

This has emboldened them to carry out further acts of terrorism against Meiteis, said FOCS.

The Meiteis want to coexist with all communities in Jiribam and they trusted the Hmar-Paite communities to uphold the agreement to usher in peace.

However, the Meiteis have been betrayed and their houses have been burnt, said FOCS.

While FOCS still supports and has faith in the district administration's initiative to bring peace and normalcy in Jiribam, it said the authorities should impartially facilitate the return of members of both communities to Jiribam's Borobekra sub-division.

The authorities shouldn't facilitate the return of members of only one community and ignore the other.

The return of the displaced people to their original homes should be done for both communities simultaneously, it added.

Meanwhile, several reports said the agreement to restore peace between the Hmar and Meitei communities in Jiribam has been declared "null and void" by the Hmar Inpui.

The reports further said the Hmar Inpui has dissolved Hmar Inpui, Jiribam region and all its affiliated organizations including HYA, HSA, HNU, HWA under Jiribam.

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