Imphal march calls tor saving Manipur, ending narco-terrorism
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 28 2024: A mega rally/march under the banner 'Manipur Kanba Khongchat' (Save Manipur March) was taken out in the capital city on Friday, with thousands of participants marching to demonstrate their resolve and commitment to safeguard the territorial as well as administrative integrity of Manipur.

Organised by Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the rally aimed to bring together the people and adopt resolutions to address and resolve the ongoing crisis in the state.

The rally commenced from THAU Ground, Thangmeiband and proceeded through Khoyathong, Nagamapal, BT Road, Kanglapat road, and Kekrupat Parking, before culminating at Khuman Lampak, where a public meeting was held and adopted several key resolutions.

The participants shouted slogans against illegal immigrants from neighbouring Myanmar, militancy, illegal encroachments of forest land and drug smuggling.

Among others, the public meeting resolved to outrightly oppose all elements threatening the integrity and identity of Manipur and demanded the government of India to cease its policies of posing threat to the existence of indigenous people of Manipur.

Additionally, the meeting called for an end to sectarian policies schemed to create divisions among the indigenous communities settling in the state.

Demand was also raised for the government to take immediate action to flush out illegal immigrants and Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists from the state and called for revoking the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed with Chin-Kuki 'narco-terrorists'.

The participants emphasised the necessity for both Central and state governments to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise so as to identify and deport the illegal immigrants from Manipur, not to confiscate weapons from village volunteers and put on hold search operations until the current crisis is resolved.

Furthermore, the resolutions included a call to the MLAs and ministers to take a proactive role in protecting Manipur, its identity, and territorial integrity.

During the public meeting, COCO Ml coordinator Somorendro Thokchom voiced strong concerns over the Central government's handling of the current crisis in Manipur.

Criticising the government for attempting to build a different narrative by diverting genesis of the crisis, Somorendro emphasised the urgent need to present the true picture of the crisis to the world and insisted that truth must be highlighted in the ongoing session of Parliament.

He attributed the crisis to India's geopolitical strategy, which allowed Kuki narco-terrorists from outside the country to enter Manipur.

Somorendro contended that these elements formed an alliance with Assam Rifles in 2005, which was formalised through the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Government of India in 2008.The Centre has been using the people of Manipur as pawns in its geopolitical games, never considering Manipur as an integral part of the country or its people as bonafide citizens, he maintained and accused the Central security forces of relishing the conflict in Manipur rather than discharging their duty to safeguard life and property of the people.

Somorendro denounced the demand of the Kukiland and double standard and proxy war adopted by the errant political leaders.

Terming as troubling the Indian government's failure to bring any resolution to the protracted conflict, he also demanded to stop the divide-and-rule agenda of the government in the sensitive border state.

Friday's mega rally, he said, was organised out of-the pressing need to present the key facts of the Manipur crisis to the world along with cautioning that the new narrative being propagated by the government of India could pose a severe threat to the existence of the indigenous people of Manipur.

He argued that unless the Central government starts treating Manipur as one of its own states and its people as legitimate citizens, finding a solution to the crisis will remain elusive.

Somorendro also criticised the state's political leaders, calling them cowards who have been only following the directives of the Central government since the crisis began.

He accused them of fearing of losing their positions and lacking the courage to present the truth to the Centre.

Their reluctance to participate in the rally, despite COCOMI's appeal, is betrayal to the people of Manipur, the coordinator fumed and further stated that their absence from the rally represented a substantial loss for society.

He also said that the resolutions adopted at the public meeting were aimed at fostering a better understanding of the real situation behind the crisis.

He then urged the Government of India to acknowledge its mistakes and withdraw its current approach while pointing out that acknowledging general sentiment of the people of Manipur and adopting right strategies could help find solution to the conflict.

The resolutions adopted would be submitted to both the President and the Prime Minister, he informed the attendees.

Retired sessions judge A Noutuneshwari, Manipur University CSSEIP reader Dr Thiyam Bharat, social activist Leishangthem Jadumani and social activist Yumnam Dilip also attended the public meeting as presidium members.

Apart from leaders of different CSOs, Meira Paibi groups, student bodies, local clubs and organisations, film personalities, students, teachers and people from different walks of life; Keishamthong MLA S Nishikant and Wangkhei MLA Th Arunkumar turned up to take part in the rally.

Two women aged 56 years and 38 years were rushed to Little Clinic in Nagaram after they lost consciousness during the march.

Meanwhile, state BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi on Thursday held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and discussed the prevailing situation in the troubled state.

BJP sources said that she urged HM Shah to take immediate steps to bring a permanent solution and peace to the state.

Devi said in a post on X, "Met Hon'ble Home Minister, Mananiya Shri Amit Shah ji, for an extensive discussion on the current situation in Manipur.

Conveyed the people's aspirations and urged immediate attention to bring permanent solution and tranquility to the state, while appreciating the ongoing efforts".

The BJP leader said, "Additionally, highlighted the need for resettling IDPs and providing maximum support for smooth rehabilitation.

He assured that the Centre was aware of the delicate situation on the ground and committed to uplifting the people's aspirations".

Various Kuki-Zomi-Hmar tribal organisations including Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) along with ten tribal MLAs, including seven BJP legislators, have been demanding separate administrations (equivalent to separate state) for the tribals.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley.

Nagas and Kukis constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts.

Over 220 people were killed, 1,500 injured and over 70,000 people displaced after the ethnic violence broke out on May 3 last year after a 'Tribal Solidarity March', organised in the hill-districts to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

The rioting also left thousands of houses, government and non-government properties, and religious installations destroyed or damaged.

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