Separate bodies put up strong case before Amit Shah
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 30 2023: Many organisations have submitted memoranda with different demands to restore normalcy in the still-tense Manipur to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah who landed in Imphal last night.

While World Meetei Council (WMC) urged the Centre to declare militant groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact as outlaws and implement National Register of Citizens (NRC), the Manipur Students' Association, Delhi (MSAD) demanded disarmament of the armed miscreants fuelling the conflict in its memorandum.

The North East People's Organisation (NEPO)-Manipur Chapter also submitted a nine-point memorandum to the Union Home Minister.

Separate bodies put up strong case before Amit Shah

Advisor to Indigenous People's Front Manipur (IPFM) Jagat Thoudam, on the other hand, presented the 'genesis' of the crisis in Manipur to Amit Shah and claimed that what is happening in Manipur is narco-terrorism.

WMC

The Council, in its memorandum, proposed abrogation of SoO pact with Kuki militants and to declare them as outlaw organisations.

"The violence in Manipur was planned and organised by the Kuki activists in association with their militants who are under SoO to realise a Kuki homeland," it claimed and alleged that the solidarity march staged on 3rd May under the aegis of ATSUM to protest against the demand of ST status by the Meeteis was only a pretext to realise their 'nefarious' goals.

The WMC also demanded institution of a judicial inquiry to find out the solution and the root cause of the violence besieging the State.

Saying that no peace talk should be initiated with the Kuki militant groups until the SoO pact is abrogated, the Council also asked the Government to stop entry of 'illegal' immigrants from Myanmar.

It also proposed setting up a strict vigil across the bordering areas with Myanmar.

The WMC also demanded addition of Meeteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of the Constitution without further delay.



NEPO

In its memorandum, NEPO Manipur Chapter urged the Centre to implement NRC, constitute a State Population Commission and to speed up the boundary fencing works along the international border.

It also appealed to the Government to protect the territorial boundary and integrity of Manipur and safeguard the Reserved and Protected Forests.

Prohibit illegal poppy plantations by the Kuki armed groups and immigrants from Myanmar and take up stringent actions against those involved in narco-terrorist activities, NEPO demanded.

NEPO further urged the Government to extend help in rebuilding the properties which were destroyed or burnt down in the series of violence and provide adequate compensations for the lives lost.

It also demanded the constitution of a high level committee led by a person not below the rank of a retired or serving Judge of a High Court to trace the root cause of the violent clash and find a permanent solution to ensure peace and stability in the State.

The Government needs to take up immediate measures to halt the ongoing clash and shadow of conflagration at the peripheral areas of the State, it added.

Advisor to IPFM

Advisor to IPFM Jagat Thoudam claimed that "what is happening in Manipur is narco-terrorism funded by money from poppy plantation, opium manufacturing and drug smuggling to create a Kuki homeland led by militant outfits under SoO pact" .

He pointed out that thousands of displaced Meiteis from Churachandpur, Moreh, Motbung, Ekou and other places have no second home unlike those displaced from Imphal.

Claiming that the present crisis in Manipur is the creation of Assam Rifles under IGAR (South), Mantripukhri, Jagat Thoudam alleged that the Assam Rifles could have prevented the arson and attack on Meitei villages at Churachandpur, Moreh and other places.

He went on to claim that the Assam Rifles has created the conducive environment for the inflow of Kuki migrants from Myanmar and allow illegal poppy cultivation in 'encroached' areas.

The Manipur Government sent several distress signals (SOS) to the Central Government for timely intervention and assistance, he said and asked why the Ministry concerned didn't act on time.

He further alleged that Kuki frontal organisations like the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) physically bring in Kuki migrants from Myanmar while their Aadhaar and other identity documents are prepared by Autonomous District Council at the behest of the Hills Tribal Council, Moreh.

Ethnicisation of trade in Moreh is being facilitated by Assam Rifles in favour of Kukis, Jagat Thoudam claimed.

Alleging further that KNA/KNO has grown to a monstrous size and strength under the protection of Assam Rifles, he claimed that KNA is training the PDF cadres at Sahei Village and B Bongjang Village with full knowledge of the Assam Rifles.

Jagat Thoudam went on to claim that half of the geographical area of Manipur has been claimed as Kuki ancestral land.

Claiming that Assam Rifles has allowed Kuki SoO militant outfits to set up several camps outside their designated camps, he alleged that KNA set up its camp at Moreh Ward no 1 while UKLF has its camp at S Moljol Village against the ground rules of the SoO pact.

Armed cadres of Myanmar based PDF are also stationed at Haolenphai Village with the full knowledge of the Assam Rifles , he claimed.

MSAD

In its memorandum, MSAD said that a high level judicial inquiry committee headed by a sitting Judge of the Supreme Court should be constituted to establish the sequence of the ethnic violence in Manipur and fix accountability and responsibility.

It appealed to the Centre and the State Government to take up adequate measures to disarm the armed miscreants fuelling the conflict.

The Delhi based student organisation further urged the Centre to preserve the social fabric of the multi ethnic State.

No division of Manipur based on exclusivist ethnic agenda should be carried out, it demanded.

It further urged the Government to stop divisive policies and ensure the safety and security of every community in the State.