Urgent Need for Unbiased Law Enforcement to Restore Public Confidence
- 24th February 2025 :: The Meitei Alliance -

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To:
His Excellency, The Governor of Manipur
Raj Bhavan, Imphal, Manipur
Subject: Urgent Need for Unbiased Law Enforcement to Restore Public Confidence

Respected Governor,

On behalf of the Meitei Alliance, we extend our gratitude for your administration’s efforts in addressing the ongoing crisis in Manipur, including the recent 7-day amnesty for the return of arms. However, we firmly believe that law enforcement must be carried out with impartiality to restore public trust and confidence.

Understanding the Root Causes to Restore Public Trust

It is crucial to acknowledge why people felt compelled to take up arms and what conditions would enable them to surrender voluntarily. Security forces must act with absolute neutrality, addressing the concerns of all communities equally to reinforce the government’s commitment to justice.

Manipur remains awash with arms and ammunition possessed by various groups. Notably, the first recorded use of automatic weapons in the ongoing violence occurred on May 3, 2023, during the so-called "peace rally" organized by Kuki groups in Churachandpur.

The identification and prosecution of the two militants who openly brandished assault rifles that day—marking the first public display of armed violence—are paramount. Selectively targeting looted arms while allowing these militants to go unpunished only deepens public scepticism toward the government and security forces.

Kuki Militants and mob at peace rally in Churachandpur

Ensuring a Conducive Environment for Peace

For genuine peace to be restored, citizens must feel safe and protected by security forces. Their failure to prevent attacks has left many with no choice but to arm themselves to defend their families, including women and children, and to safeguard the integrity of the state against external aggression.

No village should live in perpetual fear of attacks by Kuki militants. While the initiative to collect arms is appreciated, it must apply uniformly across all factions, including armed groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. Otherwise, it risks being perceived as a hollow gesture—disarming one section of society while allowing militants to remain armed and unchallenged. Moving the SoO militant camps deep into the hills, far away from the national highways and public settlement areas, will help a long way in building public confidence and restore trust.

Additionally, displaced individuals must be resettled in their homes and villages without further delay. The continued presence of militant groups terrorising civilians and blocking national highways must be decisively addressed.

A Call for Fairness and Accountability

True peace can only emerge through fairness and accountability. We urge your office to take swift action against all perpetrators of violence, starting with those who initiated the armed attacks on May 3rd. Only when the government demonstrates impartial justice will the people regain trust and voluntarily surrender arms.

Furthermore, armed groups under SoO must be brought under strict control. Without clear enforcement, peace will remain elusive.

Key Areas Requiring Immediate Attention

1. Dismantling Artificial Buffer Zones The continued separation of communities through enforced buffer zones empowers divisive forces and delays reconciliation. These artificial barriers must be removed as a priority to prevent further territorial and ethnic divisions.

2. Protecting Our Children’s Future The ongoing crisis has taken an immeasurable toll on children, affecting their physical, emotional, educational, and psychological well-being. The unfiltered portrayal of brutal violence in the media has instilled deep-seated fear, discouraging children from attending school. A lack of prompt intervention risks an entire generation’s future, making societal rebuilding exponentially more challenging.

3. Securing the Future of VDF Youths Many young individuals, driven by necessity and vulnerability, took up arms to defend their communities in the absence of security forces. These youths must not face legal repercussions for stepping up where the system failed them. We propose forming a specialized unit, such as a highway protection force, to channel their skills productively while addressing critical security needs.

4. Securing the National Highways The national highways, a lifeline to the state, must be secured. No Kuki militant or any other organization should dictate terms on the free movement of goods and people. The skyrocketing prices of essential commodities are terrorizing citizens, particularly in Imphal. Restoring unrestricted movement across state and national highways is imperative to ensure fundamental rights and economic stability.

It is never too late to take decisive action. We urge you to lead the state forward with unwavering commitment to justice and security. Please let us know how we can assist in achieving these objectives. Thank you for your attention and dedication to Manipur.

Yours sincerely,

Media Coordinator
Meitei Alliance,
founded in November 2023, is an alliance of Meitei diaspora associations in India
(Association of Manipuri Diaspora– Pune; Chennai Manipuri Forum; Delhi Meetei Co-ordinating Committee,
Hyderabad Manipuri Society; Manipuri Diaspora Association- Chandigarh; Manipuri Diaspora, Assam;
Manipuri in Kolkata; Meitei Association – Mumbai; Meitei Association in Sikkim; Meitei Heritage Society, Delhi;
Manipuri Meitei Association Bengaluru; Mumbai Manipuri Solidarity Group;
Society for Meitei’s Chamber of Commerce, Assam; Takhel Leima Tengbang Lup; Tripura Meitei Association),
in Australia (Meitei Community in Australia)
and UK, Europe, Canada, USA, and Nicaragua.