DMCC holds protest in Delhi, petitions PM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 29 2024: Drawing attention to the ongoing crisis in the state, Delhi Meetei Co-Ordinating Committee (DMCC) organised a protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar, Delhi on Sunday.

The demonstration was held to extend solidarity to the people of Manipur, who have been enduring profound suffering and distress for several months.

As a part of the demonstration, sit-ins were also jointly organised by Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee, Imagi Meira, and Women's Wing of DMCC at Hao Ground, Pishum, and other locations to demand justice and decisive action by the government of India regarding the continued violence and unrest in the state.

DMCC also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Sunday, expressing deep dismay over the government 's alleged negligence and indecisiveness in addressing the conflict.

In the memorandum, DMCC called for an end to the "Central Government's partiality towards Kuki militants", emphasised the necessity of serving justice impartially and ensuring fair treatment and protection for all the affected communities in Manipur.

The protestors demanded removal of the "buffer zones" set up by central forces, arguing that it undermines the spirit of coexistence essential for peace in the state.

The dismantling of these buffer zones is crucial for rebuilding trust and unity among the people, it stressed.

DMCC also urged the government to expedite resettlement of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) to their original homes as delay in such a process has prolonged the suffering and uncertainty for many families, who are eager to live in dignity.

While the demonstration was organised to highlight how Meeteis have been consistently targeted by Kuki militants over the past 14 months, DMCC questioned involvement of Central government agencies, and alleged selective targeting of the Meetei community and attempts to implicate them as a whole.

The demonstration aimed to highlight voice of the suffering people of Manipur, particularly the Meetei community, to the Government of India and the Members of Parliament so that the issue is taken up for serious discussion in the ongoing Parliament session.

The memorandum provided a detailed chronology of attacks against Meetei villages and state security forces by Kuki militants including the first major attacks on May 3, 2023, when several Meetei villages were targeted in Kuki-dominated areas, resulting in serious crimes, including rape and arson.

The second major attack in the early hours on May 28, 2023 led to displacement of people from 13 Meetei villages across three districts.

The villages affected included Phayeng Khunou Freedom Hills around 1:30 am; Singda and Kadangband, Sugnu, Serou, Wapokpi at 1:30 am; Chandonpokpi at 2:35 am; Kamson Tampak at 2:35 am; Napat, Tangjeng Ahallup at 2:35 am; and Yaingangpokpi, Sanasabi, Shanti Khongbal, and Gwaltabi in Bishnupur district at 3:30 am.

These coordinated attacks led to the deaths of 12 Meeteis, including two police personnel, and two Kukis while 44 people were left injured.

These assaults took place while the Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Panday, and Eastern Command Chief Lt Gen RP Kalita were stationing in Imphal ahead of the scheduled three-day state visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, starting on May 29 .

The timing of these attacks raised questions about whether this was mere coincidence, it inferred.

The third major coordinated attacks on the ManipUr Police occurred from December 31, 2023 to January 8, 2024, in Moreh town under Tengnoupal district with the December assault marked by Kuki militants carrying out well-co-ordinated attacks using bombs and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), injuring at least eight security personnel across multiple locations.

The attacks intensified in the evening when militants ambushed state police and special commandos near the Assam Rifles' key location point in Moreh.

Later, heavily armed militants attacked commando camps and barracks at Moreh Turel Wangma, causing significant damage to a government building and injuring more personnel, including five special commandos and three BSF troopers.

Following these assaults, a joint security team conducted search operations at Chavangphai and Canan Veng but faced an ambush by suspected KNA, UKLF, and KNA-B cadres.

Despite serious injuries to several personnel, the 5 Assam Rifles did not engage the militants, an inaction deemed unfortunate and unbecoming.

On January 7, Kuki militants launched another fierce attack using sophisticated weapons and bombs in Moreh town, targeting Manipur Police Commando Complex and other locations in the two-hour gunfight.

Heavy fighting continued on January 8, with militants attacking security forces in Moreh for over five hours.

The commanding officer of 5 Assam Rifles warned of retaliation if attacks continued after bombs landed near Assam Rifles, BSF, and RAF camps.

However, attacks continued on January 12, with militants using sniper rifles against special commandos at Moreh Hospital.

These persistent assaults suggest that Kuki militants have enjoyed impunity under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) Agreement, raising questions about the Government of India's and Assam Rifles' responses.

The Meetei community wonders whether the central government is siding with the militants, questioning effectiveness of the high security arrangement and the militants' apparent immunity in carrying out attacks against them.

The DMCC memorandum accused the government of India and the Assam Rifles of inaction and negligence, claiming that despite having knowledge of the locations of Kuki militant camps, the central forces failed to take necessary action to protect Meetei communities arid state forces.

They questioned whether the Central government was siding with the Kuki militants, given the repeated and unchecked attacks against Meeteis.

Additionally, the forced relocation of Meetei families by Assam Rifles in Jiribam was cited as an example of providing impunity to Kuki militants under the guise of security measures.

The memorandum argued that the large deployment of central armed forces in Manipur was being misused to divide the population along ethnic lines rather than protecting them.

The protestors called for immediate action from the central and state governments to take decisive action against Kuki armed groups and their foreign supporters; address rogue elements within the paramilitary and armed forces; and restore the rule of law in Manipur.

They demanded the dismantling of all Central government-imposed buffer zones within the state and emphasised the importance of reconnecting Meeteis with the rest of India through land routes.

Additionally, they urged the government to expedite the resettlement of IDPs to their original homes.

DMCC emphasised that their voices would not be silenced until these vital changes were implemented, underscoring the urgent need for peace, justice, and unity in the state.

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