14 CSOs Kangleipak takes strong exception
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 02 2026: The Corresponding Committee of CSOs, a body representing 14 CSOs Kangleipak and their partner organisations, has condemned Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju for allegedly giving the Manipur crisis a communal tinge.

Speaking to reporters at the KSA office at Khoyathong today, 14 CSOs convenor Shanta Nahakpam said that the Union Minister, without understanding the crisis, allegedly painted it as a communal conflict.

While allegedly stating that military action will not bring normalcy, the Union Minister from the North East encouraged talks between Meitei, Naga and Kuki communities to bring resolutions, Shanta said.

The Union Minister's statements unfortunately reflect the Government of India's lack of understanding of the crisis, and its inability to use its armed forces to subdue militants and curb violence, Shanta said.

What Manipur is facing is armed aggression launched by militants against civilians and their villages.

Changlang and Tirap in the Indo-Myanmar border area in Arunachal Pradesh have also faced similar crises where many civilians were killed in attacks carried out by armed militant groups, Shanta asserted.

Just as the Manipur crisis has been given a communal tinge, Shanta asked if the Union Minister will also portray the militants' attacks on the Arunachal villages as a communal conflict as well.

Further, observing public statements that have been made in the recent past by National leaders including BJP's National vice president Ram Madhav, it can be understood very clearly that the Centre is not willing to or sincerely trying to resolve the Manipur crisis, Shanta said.

For this lack of sincerity on the part of the Central Government and the way the State has been treated, people no longer trust it to resolve the crisis and bring peace.

And this may be the reason why the Southern Tangkhul Students' Union has come out expressing its intention to approach China for help, Shanta said.

If the Centre continues to ignore the State and plight of its people, the trust deficit may continue to grow, Shanta added.

On the lack of willingness to resolve the issue, Shanta asserted that it reinforces the belief that the Government and the Central forces may be using Kuki militants as proxies.

The alleged finding of many articles which are issued specifically to the Indian forces from Kuki militants strongly points to this, he said.

Even as the State Cabinet and the Assembly have taken resolutions to withdraw and abrogate the tripartite SoO agreement, the Government of India has not taken up any step towards this till today, reflecting how it views and treats the State, Shanta said.

While the Government of India has ignored the State and its people, "our own leaders" are unable to stand up to the leaders in the Centre and decide for themselves, he asserted.

When thousands of internally displaced persons are still languishing in relief camps, the leaders, without any concern for the people suffering, are gearing up for elections, he said.

Under such circumstances, people may start to question the benefits of being Indian citizens and the State's merger and association with India, Shanta added.

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