Aggression of Kukis started in 2015 : PAPPM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 20 2024: The People's Alliance for Peace and Progress, Manipur (PAPPM) has said that the violence in Manipur is orchestrated by Kuki illegal immigrants with support from influential Kuki leaders and other entities to destabilize the Indian State.

In a statement signed by its president M Bobby Meetei under the heading "Save Indigenous People of North East from Illegal Immigrants", PAPPM continued that the onslaught on the Meitei community by a section of Kuki people began on August 18, 2015 and not on May 3, 2023 as believed by many.

It is also important to recall that the violence against the indigenous Naga community in Moreh by Kuki people began in 1991, the Alliance said.

Elaborating, PAPPM claimed that a section of Kuki miscreants attacked 'peaceful' rallysists at Moreh who were demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit System in Manipur on August 18, 2015 .

Claiming that the attackers from the Kuki community used firearms, stones, and other weapons to disrupt the rally, the Alliance maintained that several rally participants were injured in the attack.

The attackers also set ablaze the buildings of Meitei Council, Moreh (MCM) and Kha-Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup apart from several shops and properties owned by Meitei community people, PAPPM said and added that the situation was tense and chaotic.

Further claiming that the attackers also looted several houses and properties belonging to the Meitei community, the Alliance maintained that the Manipur police commandos were confined to their campus, allegedly on the orders of a high-ranking police officer from the Kuki community as per eye witnesses.

The commandos were prevented from intervening and stopping the arson, PAPPM claimed.

The Alliance went on to state that Churachandpur also witnessed intense violence on August 31, 2015 following the passage of the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, along with two amendments to existing laws: the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (7th Amendment) Bill, and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (2nd Amendment) Bill.

The unrest escalated rapidly, leading to a confrontation between protesters and the police, it said and added that nine people tragically lost their lives and several persons injured in police firing after agitators attacked Churachandpur police station.

Houses of MP of Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat Thangso Baite, Family Welfare Minister Phungzaphang Tonsing, and that of five Kuki MLAs, including Manga Vaiphei and Vungzagin Valte, were set on fire in Churachandpur town during the strike, PAPPM reminded.

The Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015 sought to give the State Government the authority to define who qualifies as a Manipuri and anyone who had settled in the State on or before 1951 would be considered a Manipuri according to the Bill, the Alliance said.

Continuing that the attack on Meitei families on May 3, 2023, by a Kuki mob, supported by armed militants, triggered a severe backlash in Imphal, PAPPM alleged that the situation escalated as the security forces failed to protect the Meiteis in Kuki-dominated areas.

Since then, various Kuki organizations have been carrying out a misleading campaign, falsely claiming that the violence was initiated by the Meiteis and encouraged by Chief Minister N Biren, PAPPM said and added that the recently released doctored audio of the Chief Minister is also part of this deceptive campaign.

Any neutral observer can easily deduce that certain sections of the Kuki community, particularly illegal immigrants, have been instigating attacks on Meiteis since August 18, 2015 to ignite an ethnic clash, it maintained.

Continuing that the violence in Manipur was premeditated and it would be wrong to claim that the violence began on May 3, 2023, PAPPM claimed that the violence against the Meitei community began on August 18, 2015 .

Saying that PAPPM observed August 18, 2024, as a day dedicated to protecting the indigenous people of Manipur from illegal immigrants in remembrance of the attack on Meitei community on August 18, 2015 at Moreh, the Alliance added that this day will be observed every year to highlight the threat posed by illegal immigrants to the indigenous population of North East India, particularly Manipur, and to underscore their impact on National security.

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