Time for Delhi to act: MA
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 02 2025:
On the second anniversary of the May 3, 2023 armed aggression from Kuki militants, the Meitei Alliance has urged the Government of India to take certain decisive actions immediately.
The alliance has urged the Government of India to terminate the Suspension of Operations with Kuki militant groups and take firm steps to neutralize terrorism; intensify the war on drugs, including the complete eradication of illegal poppy cultivation; update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to distinguish between citizens and foreigners and identify and deport illegal migrants from neighbouring countries.
The alliance has also sought dismantling of artificial buffer zones and ensuring unrestricted movement of all citizens across the State, safe return of displaced persons to their homes with adequate security and rehabilitation support and removal of AKT (Any Kuki Tribes) from the Scheduled Tribes list.
The attacks which started on May 3, 2023 were strategically orchestrated to disrupt communal harmony and coerce the Government of Manipur into halting its actions against illicit cross-border drug trafficking, illegal poppy cultivation, illegal encroachments on protected forest lands, and illegal immigration from Myanmar, the Meitei Alliance asserted in a statement.
In the immediate aftermath of the eruption of violence, despite assuming control over the State's law and order situation, the Central Government's delayed and inadequate response allowed Kuki militants -operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement - to carry out coordinated attacks against Meitei civilians.
The subsequent establishment of buffer zones by Central forces, ostensibly to prevent further violence, inadvertently facilitated the creation of de facto enclaves that have since served as launchpads for continued terrorist operations targeting civilians, it said.
Due to the security lapses of the Central Government, hundreds have lost their lives, thousands have been injured, and nearly one lakh people have been displaced.
The widespread violence has severely restricted the free movement of citizens across the State, it said.
Terrorist activities have obstructed economic development, disrupted livelihoods, and led to a surge in crime and instability, resulting in immense human suffering.
Furthermore, the Centre's continued leniency toward Kuki militant groups has emboldened their ambitions to carve out an exclusive territory, with the intention of integrating it into a proposed new Nation, the Meitei Alliance warned.
Between May 4, 2023 and May 2, 2025, the Central Government has not taken up any substantial measures to bring normalcy.
It has yet to fulfil the expectations of the people in ensuring security and peace, restoring political stability and communal harmony, enabling free movement, controlling prices, and fostering economic recovery and growth, it decried.
Strongly condemning all forms of terrorism and communal violence, the Meitei Alliance urged the Central Government to take immediate and decisive actions.
The people of Manipur continue to suffer under the weight of the prolonged violence uncertainty.
It is time for the Government of India to act with resolve and ensure that the fundamental rights, safety and dignity of every citizen are restored and protected, the alliance added.
The people of Manipur continue to suffer under the weight of the prolonged violence uncertainty.
It is time for the Government of India to act with resolve and ensure that the fundamental rights, safety and dignity of every citizen are restored and protected, the alliance added.
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