Memorandum to Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India
- Greater Guwahati Manipuri Association (GGMA) -

Guwahati, 11 May 2010

Greater Guwahati Manipuri Association (GGMA)
Manipuri Rajbari, Ulubari, B. T. Road, Guwahati-7,
Email: [email protected]
Ref. No. Memo/01/2010
Date: The 11th of May, 2010

To,
Shri Manmohan Singh
The Honorable Prime Minister of India,

SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM

Honorable Sir,

This is to bring to your kind attention that:

Sir, the proposed visit of Mr. Thuingaleng Muivah, leader of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM), to his native village in Manipur, and the subsequent decision of the Government of Manipur to bar his entry to the state, has led to a sharp escalation of tensions between Naga and Meitei communities living in the states of Manipur and Nagaland, as well as other areas of North East of India.

That Sir, the proposed visit has already resulted in a violent incident at Mao Gate, the border between Manipur and Nagaland, which claimed the lives of two young persons and caused grievous injuries to several others. Thousands of people, belonging to both communities are currently living in deep insecurity and it has reported that many have already relocated to safer locations suffering the ignominy of the displaced.

These incidents, Sir, have exacerbated, the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the state of Manipur following the economic blockade from the 11th of April, 2010, which was declared by the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur on the issue of District Council elections. Though initially, the limited supply of commodities through the Imphal-Dimapur Highway 39 was ensured with the assistance of security forces, the situation turned for the worse after a total blockade was enforced from the 5th of May 2010 by many Naga civil societies. Hundreds of goods carrying vehicles are stranded at Assam-Manipur border (along High Way 53) and Assam- Nagaland border (National High Way 39) unable to take the commodities to their destinations. Unless urgent action is taken to diffuse the current imbroglio, we have grave concern that the situation would have more tragic consequences.

That Sir, all people of the state, irrespective of community are suffering from an acute shortage of essential commodities including critical life-saving drugs and equipment. It is reported that fuel is no longer available in the market, and hoarders are selling small quantities of petrol and diesel in the black market at Rs. 160/- and Rs.90/- per litre. As a result, prices of food grains, edible oils and other essential commodities are rapidly escalating out of control.

Adding to the woes of the people, the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) has declared that routine operations would be suspended from the 11th of May, 2010 because of the scarcity of oxygen. It states, “We have no alternatives other than stopping routine operations from Monday till the supply resumes, the stock of oxygen and life saving drugs is very low. But we will perform emergency operations” The blockade is also causing enormous hardship and inconvenience to hundreds of people from Manipur, including critically ill patients, who are stranded within the state, as well as in Guwahati and other border towns waiting for the blockade to be lifted.

That Sir, in these circumstances, we, under the Greater Guwahati Manipuri Association, fervently appeal to you to kindly intervene urgently and bring an immediate end to this crisis. Any further delay in working out a solution can only deepen the distress of people and may precipitate processes with very unfortunate consequences. We call upon your good offices to bring a swift end to the problems being encountered, through the restoration of communications to and from the state and ensuring a free flow of all essential commodities including food, fuel and critical medical supplies. We also appeal for the safe and secure movement of all people along all routes.

We also take this opportunity to inform you Sir that we as concerned citizens of the country, condemn all forms of violence and appeal to all concerned to maintain composure and ensure that the lives and property of all people are protected. It is our strong belief that the current imbroglio can only be resolved through dialogue in an environment of peace and harmony.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Secretary,
M. Pradip Kr. Singha
President,
Y. Dhan Kr. Singha

Copy to:

The Honourable Chief Minister of Nagaland
The Honourable Chief Minister of Manipur
The Honourable Home Minister, Government of India