MLA decries Govt's undue attention to demand of 10 Kuki MLAs
Genesis of violence traced to Torbung on May 3
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 19 2023: MLA Lourembam Rameshwor has expressed strong reservation against the Government's undue attention to the demand raised by 10 Kuki MLAs.

The MLA representing Keirao AC today donated a sum of Rs one lakh to the victim of Churachandpur gangrape.

Hailing the courage and spirit of the young woman who was gangraped by Kuki militants at Churachandpur on May 3, the first day of the violent conflict, Rameshwor said that there were reports of Kuki militants raping and molesting some Meitei women at Churachandpur but the victims fearing social stigma and discrimination have not come out.

MLA decries Govt's undue attention to demand of 10 Kuki MLAs

But one of the victims decided to fight for justice and brought out the horrifying incident to the notice of all the people by filing a complaint at a police station.

MLA L Rameshwor said that all the victims of sexual assault by Kuki militants need to come out and fight boldly for justice.

Enraged and hurt by reports of many Meitei women being raped by Kuki militants at Churachandpur, a mob from Nongpok Sekmai paraded two Kuki women naked, claimed the MLA.

As the video of the particular incident went viral, the Governor even extended monetary help to the victims, he remarked.

He then expressed keen desire for the Governor to provide some assistance to the Churachandpur gangrape victim too from the side of the Government.

The MLA added that the victim's house had also been burnt down completely.

Pointing out that Nongpok Sekmai police station OC Premkumar was suspended in connection with the incident of nude parade, Rameshwor decried the authorities' failure to take up any action against the Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur and the then DGP who remained mute spectators when a large number of Kukis marched up to Torbung Bangla on May 3 and burnt down hundreds of Meitei houses and unleashed violence on an unprecedented scale.

It is rather unfortunate that an OC has been suspended while not a single action has been initiated against the Churachandpur SP and the then DGP, he said.

He said that the Government should take up strong actions immediately against all Government officials who were involved in generating health cards by inserting names of Kuki villages at Moreh localities settled by Meiteis.

Pointing out that all the people are currently facing many difficulties including financial problems, the MLA appealed to all the organisations who are currently undertaking donation campaigns to carry out the same campaign either under a single organisation or Assembly Constituency-wise.

"Kukis were planning for quite a long time to break up Manipur and drive out Meiteis from our ancestral land," Rameshwor said.

Urging the Government to arrest at least some Kukis who were involved in attacking Meitei villages and burning down Meitei houses on the first day (May 3) of the violence, the MLA expressed strong disapproval of the Government's discriminatory approach in pulling up only Meitei people allegedly involved in the violence.

It is a matter of grave concern that there are glaring indications of complete absence of governance in hill areas.

The BJP MLA also expressed displeasure over the Government's failure to hold a session of Manipur Legislative Assembly till date.

The Government's undue attention to the 10 Kuki MLAs' demand for fragmenting Manipur is quite saddening, he added.

He then pointed out that even the normal session of Manipur Legislative Assembly has not been held till date.

Rameshwor lamented that the 40 MLAs of the valley are still unable to work together even though the violent crisis is now over three months old.

While the 40 MLAs have been sleeping comfortably on their beds, Meitei women and mothers have been spending nights in the open in the midst of mosquitoes at peripheral areas, guarding Manipur, he said.

"We don't know what the Government is doing nor are we united", he said.

"Politicians including myself cannot be expected to save Manipur.

We, politicians, are unable to do anything concrete to protect Manipur," he admitted.

NFSA rice share of the displaced Meitei people of Churachandpur has been appropriated by Kukis.

People of Churachandpur have been getting their share of subsidised rice through the Government of Mizoram.

During an Independence Day celebration at Churachandpur, Kuki militants, holding sophisticated weapons, took out a parade but the Government has not yet taken up any action against the Churachandpur SP and the DC, he remarked.

The State administration is on the verge of complete collapse at Churachandpur and Moreh, the BJP MLA added.