CSOs put on record right narratives
Nothing to do with ST demand : CCSK
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 25 2023:
Claiming that the series of attacks launched by Kukis has nothing to do with the Scheduled Tribe (ST) demand raised by the Meeteis, the Collective of Civil Society Organisations Kangleipak (Manipur) has said that the restlessness in Manipur will disappear once the Chin-Kuki militants stop their hostilities.
This violence will vanish once the Chin-Kuki militants stop attacking Meeteis as whatever the Meeteis have been doing is only to defend themselves and their properties," it said.
The Collective of Civil Society Organisations Kangleipak (Manipur) is a conglomerate of IPAK, PANDM, IPSA, ACOAM-Lup, CLK, KANGLAMEI, KIL and KSA.
In a statement, the joint body said that the genesis of the violence in Manipur is not the ST demand for Meeteis as portrayed by a section of people but the Government crackdown on poppy cultivation, encroachment on reserved and protected forest areas, deforestation and proposal to implement National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur.
Claiming that so many instances have proven the establishment of unauthorised villages in Manipur by illegal immigrants, it alleged that these illegal immigrants were brought to Manipur and used in electoral politics by some politicians to secure their position.
It further claimed that these illegal immigrants are also engaged in poppy cultivation by giving low wages to earn easy money.
To continue their nefarious business, the illegal immigrants were given a hope of Kuki homeland, it added.
It is only the innocent Kukis and Meeteis who have been victimised by the ongoing conflict in Manipur, the group of eight CSOs said.
Reiterating that the situation in Manipur was not triggered by the ST demand of Meeteis, it reminded that a shrine of Ibudhou Pakhangba was vandalised while a group of people ripped a Salai Taret flag and spat on it at Thingkangphai in Churachandpur days ahead of Tribal Solidarity March which was taken out on May 3 .
It also said that assault rifles wielding people were seen taking part in the so-called peace rally.
What is the point of burning Forest offices if the opposition is against the ST tag demand by the Meeteis, the group asked.
The Collective further asked why the Kuki CSOs backed by militants portrayed the drive to protect wetland, reserved forest and wildlife sanctuaries as a violation of tribal rights and anti Kuki manoeuvre.
Is burning down 500-600 houses of Meeteis simply because some miscreants burnt one or two tyres in front of a memorial gate which was erected based on a fabricated tale justifiable, it asked.
Meeteis don't lie and people know the truth who started the violence, the Collective said.
Saying that the response given by the BJP pertaining to the aggression of Chin-Kuki Defence Force clearly shows how the Centre sees Manipur and her people, it added that Manipur, however, can't be disintegrated by any internal or external force.
Many have died and many more will come out to protect the State's unity and integrity, it asserted.
It is natural for the people to show their resentment against the MLAs they elected if they (the MLAs) fail to live up to their expectation, the Collective reasoned and maintained that all hope, however, is not lost.
What the people want is for the MLAs to show their commitment to safeguard Manipur without waiting for a direction from the Central leaders all the time, the conglomerate of CSOs explained.
"Manipur was once an independent kingdom which was built by the blood and sweat of our forefathers and as such we shouldn't expect help from outsiders all the time in running the State," it added.
Further stating that the MLAs should seek an audience with the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and External Affairs Minister to control the Chin-Kuki militants and Assam Rifles instead of going to relief camps, it reiterated that peace will not prevail in Manipur as long as Chin-Kuki militants are let loose.
The joint body also asked the Government to not carry out combing operations against the Meeteis until an operation is launched against Chin-Kuki people.
All the arms and ammunition will be given up voluntarily if there is no conflict, it said and appealed to one and all to stop blaming the Meeteis alone for the violence.