Appeal to Address the Ongoing Violence in Manipur and Draw Parallels with Bangladesh Crisis
- 12th August 2024 : Manipuri Meitei Assn Bangalore -

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To,
Shri Amit Shah Ji,
Honorable Home Minister of India,
North Block, Central Secretariat,
New Delhi – 110001, India

Appeal to the Home Minister of India

Subject: Highlighting the analogy of the Crisis in Bangladesh and appealing to address the ongoing Violence in Manipur

A. Protests in Bangladesh: Beyond the Quota System

1. The protests in Bangladesh, which ultimately led to a military coup, were never truly about the Quota System Controversy. 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

2. Subsequently, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh ruled on 21st July 2024 to significantly abolished 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 Supreme Court should have been a cause for celebration.

However, despite this, the protests escalated, with Hindu and other minority communities being targeted and executed on an unprecedented scale. Many temples and places of worship were desecrated, eventually culminating in a military coup. These events point to the influence of external forces, as even former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has highlighted in various forums and media.

3. 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. In response to this crisis Government of India have taken proactive measures from both humanitarian and geopolitical standpoints to ensure the safety of Indians, address illegal immigration and contributed to regional stability.

In this context, we appeal to the Government of India to strengthen the Indo-Myanmar border like you have done it with the violence in Bangladesh to prevent illegal immigration and the movement of armed militant groups, who are supplying drugs and sophisticated arms to Kuki militants as these groups have been perpetuating violence and terror in the region.

Acknowledgment of the Government's Proactive Measures during Bangladesh violence.

1. Protection of Hindu Minorities: Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi raised concerns to ensure that the new government in Bangladesh protects the Hindu population and other minorities.

2. Evacuation of Nationals: Indian Government facilitated the safe evacuation of over 4,500 Indian nationals, along with nearly 540 citizens from Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives.

3. Strengthening Border Security: The Government of India have reinforced the borders with Bangladesh to prevent illegal immigration.

B. Analogies with the Ongoing Manipur Violence

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 (Zelangam).

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has 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 (Zelangam), with power dominated by Kuki militant groups.

These remarks from a former head of state cannot be dismissed lightly, as the ongoing violence in Manipur is likely fueled 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:

a. The issue of Manipur Crisis has been framed around reservations, obscuring the deeper motives.
b. Students are being used as the public face to achieve broader political agendas.
c. The involvement of foreign and external agents cannot be ruled out.
d. The large scale, speed, and severity of the violence in Manipur are unprecedented and indicative indicating premeditation and potential external orchestration.

C. Suggestions for Ending the Violence in Manipur

We believe in the leadership and statesmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and yourself.

To bring an end to the prolonged violence in Manipur, we respectfully offer the following suggestions:

1. 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. Most importantly, are the security forces deployed along the Indo-Myanmar border adequately equipped and trained to handle modern, technology-based warfare?

2. 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 Peace Treaty in Jiribam highlight the premeditated plans to instigate and prolong the violence. Without controlling these militant groups, peace cannot be achieved.

3. 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. Any act of granting citizen has to be by following proper law and on this context we truly admire and welcome the move of granting Indian Citizen by following the Law to 5 refugees residing in relief camp in Sindhanur taluk, Raichur deist, Karnataka from Bangladesh.

4. 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.

We are not against any community but stand firmly against anti-national elements and forces attempting to disrupt peace and development in the Northeast, particularly in Manipur. Many civilians genuinely believe in the peaceful coexistence and progress of the state.

In this spirit, MMAB is launching the 'Fields of Hope' initiative—a football-friendly event aimed at promoting peace and normalcy in Manipur on August 17, 2024, in Bengaluru, as part of the observation of 133rd Manipur Patriots’ Day (1891 Anglo-Manipur War).

We have reached out to various communities to bridge divides, heal wounds, and unite everyone through Sports. We hope this initiative will also provide children affected by violence with an opportunity to shine in sports and secure a brighter future. This is one of many events initiated by MMAB, each serving as a beacon of hope for the region and engaging with all key stakeholders. We earnestly look forward to restoring peace and fostering development in Manipur.

Yours’s Sincerely

MMAB President
Maj Rajkumar Jhaljit Singh (Retd.)

MMAB General Secretary
Nongthombam John Singh