ADB urged not to fund Ring Road project
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 05 2024:
In a letter dated February 3, World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC) has appealed to the president of Asian Development Bank (ADB) to cancel the sanction orders for construction of the Imphal Ring Road in the state, citing ongoing ethnic violence and alleging misuse of funds by the state government.
In the letter, WKZIC accused the state government of supporting the Meetei people in a campaign against the Kuki-Zo community.
It also said that the conflict, which has been going on since May 3 last year is fuelled by issues related to land rights, social identity, historical disputes, economic discrimination, economic disparity, human rights violations, and insurgency problems.
The letter emphasised that the ethnic violence has led to significant loss of life and property, and numerous religious structures, community halls, and schools razed to the ground.
Half of the displaced people belongs to the Kuki-Zo community, according to assessments by voluntary organisations as of January 31, 2024, it stated.
Furthermore, WKZIC alleged misappropriation of the World Bank's earlier sanction of USD 57.50 million, which was intended for the Imphal Ring Road project.
It claimed that the funds were purportedly used to procure armoured vehicles, weaponry, ammunition, drones, and sophisticated weapons, prompting the World Bank to halt release of the next instalment due to the escalating ethnic conflict.
WKZIC contended that the state government, led by Chief Minister N Biren of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has failed in governance, leading to political, social, and economic anarchy.
The Government of India has even imposed emergency rule under Article 355 of the constitution, acknowledging the failure of its party in the state.
In its plea to Asian Development Bank, WKZIC argued that releasing funds for the Imphal Ring Road project would indirectly support the state militias and insurgency groups, exacerbating the ongoing violence.
It warned that ADB would be held responsible for aiding "a communal and radicalised" government against the Kuki Zo community.
WKZIC concluded the letter with an appeal on humanitarian ground, urging the ADB to cancel the sanction orders for the Imphal Ring Road project and to save the affected Kuki-Zo communities from the violence.