Bodies call for justice to Meetei crisis victims
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 03 2024: On the first anniversary of the ongoing Manipur Crisis, a coalition of Meetei organisations from different parts of the country and abroad collectively called for deliverance of justice.

The joint statement, issued by a consortium including DEMAS, Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee, Global Manipur Federation, Karnataka Meitei Association, Meetei Yaipha Lup, Meitei Alliance, Meitei Diaspora in America, Meitei Heritage Society, NUPI, Souls Offered Unitedly for a Lustrated Society, Team Meitei Personalities, World Meetei Council, and Manipuri in Kolkata (MIK), aims to dismantle what they term "malicious global misinformation" perpetuated by Chin-Kuki settler colonialists.

According to the statement, the root causes of the conflict lie in illegal immigration, illicit drug trade through poppy plantations, and armed Chin-Kuki militancy.

The Meetei community, portrayed as the aggressors, are in fact the victims of cross-border terrorism, with numerous casualties and injuries reported over the past year.

Challenging several key misconceptions, the statement said that contrary to portrayals of the clash as between non-tribal Meetei and tribal groups, Kuki terrorists have been targeting Meetei volunteers, resulting in casualties on both sides.

It also refuted the notion of premeditated attacks by the Meetei majority on Kuki minorities, stating that retaliatory violence in Kuki-dominated areas led to mass displacement.

Dismissing claims of a religious war between Hindus (Meetei) and Christians (tribes), the statement cited instances of desecration of religious structure by Kuki fanatics, prompting further violence.

Contrary to accusations of Meetei encroachment on indigenous Kuki lands, the statement linked decline in forest cover to immigration and poppy plantation expansion in Kuki-dominated hill districts.

The organisations' "Call for Justice" extended to both state and central governments, demanded redress for those affected by the crisis and pro -active intervention to halt the cycle of violence as well aS appealed to the Central government, state government, and the opposition to prioritise delivery of swift justice to the victims impacted by the yearlong and ongoing conflict in Manipur.

The joint statement also implored all elected representatives of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to join hands with the people of Manipur in initiating re-conciliatory efforts aimed at bringing about lasting peace and harmonious co-existence in the region while emphasising on the urgent need to address the threat pose d by cross-border Kuki settler colonialists.

Accusing the Kuki settlers, allegedly funded by narco-business cartels and international agencies, and armed with smuggled weapons, or perpetrating blatant terrorism on Indian soil, the organisations lamented that the Centre has remained either ignorant or a mute spectator to these acts of violence, rendering the region unprotected.

Furthermore, the statement condemned a section of high-profile Indian fifth columnists, armed chair liberals, leftists, and a clique of opposition, and accused them of failing to stand for peace and instead in bulging in sectarianism and propaganda.

The coalition opined that these actions appear to be opportunistic rather than rooted in democratic idealism and humanitarian causes.

The isolation of India's northeastern portion, particularly Manipur, from dominant mainstream perceptions and agenda, is cited as a significant hindrance to efforts aimed at neutralising cross-border Kuki terrorists and restoring the rule of law, peace, democracy, and progress in the region.

The further criticised those helming the affairs of alleged leniency towards Kuki armed groups protected by Suspension of Operations .(SoO) agreement, consequently compromising Manipur's security and neglecting its constitutional responsibility of protecting citizens' fun-dameptal rights.

Security lapses, the statement continued, have led to the proliferation of armed militia and militarism despite the presence of central security forces, undermining claims of progress in internal security and Act East Policy via Manipur, reducing them to redundancy.

The coalition also raised concerns about the incomprehensible security and administrative lapses that have created a dilemma regarding compensating and rehabilitating victims of Kuki terrorism.

On the occasion of one year anniversary, the organisations called for justice, and demanded that normalcy and peaceful coexistence be restored once again in the state.

Meanwhile, Meetei diasporas in different parts of the world also observed the day as "1 Year Today - Call for Justice", by holding demonstrations in their respective countries including Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, California, Australia, and London among others.

Protestors held placards with slogans written such as 'United for Manipur', 'Stop the Violence', 'Secure the Future', 'Stop Kuki Atrocities bn Meeteis', 'From Promises to Action, Secure Manipur's Future', 'ST Status for Meetei Now' among others.

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