PM urged to restore peace, prioritise NRC in state
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 01 2025:
Meitei Alliance has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prioritise restoring law and order and updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur before proceeding with the delimitation exercise.
In a representation submitted to the PM, the Alliance highlighted the ongoing security concerns and the risk of derailment of the peace process if delimitation is carried out under the prevailing situation.
It emphasised the threat posed to the state's inclusive identity and territorial integrity, while citing the historic Six-Point Agreement signed with Thadou Inpi Manipur on March 7, 2025, as a crucial step towards stability.
The Alliance, however, expressed deep concern over the Supreme Court's recent directive to complete delimitation within three months, warning that it could exacerbate tensions rather than resolve them.
Echoing concerns raised by political leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, and various CSOs, the Alliance called for immediate action against those responsible for violence, particularly the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), which it alleged incited civilians on March 8 this year.
It further demanded the abrogation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed with Kuki militants, stating that these pacts have been misused to obstruct peace initiatives and threaten those supporting reconciliation.
A key demand in the representation is the development of a contextualised NRC for Manipur to safeguard bonafide citizens and ensure sustainable political stability.
The Alliance also sought an audience with the Prime Minister to present a comprehensive framework aligned with national security and the Act East Policy.
The representation also had two annexures detailing the Alliance's concerns regarding security, demographic changes, and peace negotiations.
"Manipur is facing a systematic constitutional breakdown, necessitating urgent intervention before delimitation.
The ongoing violence is not incidental but orchestrated by vested interests to prolong instability and impose unconstitutional demands through terror," it claimed.
The Alliance further contended that the SoO agreements with Kuki militants have allowed them to operate with impunity, violating ground rules and obstructing peace efforts.
"These groups continue to recruit armed cadres, establish new outfits, and procure weapons while engaging in ambushes, raids, and extortion.
Despite provision of the SoO Agreement upholding Manipur's integrity, Kuki militants persist in demanding a separate territory, undermining the state's sovereignty," the first annexure said.
Maintaining that these groups also suppress dissent through violence, enforce blockades on National Highways, and interfere in democratic elections using intimidation and force, the annexure stated that alleged ties between Kuki militants and elected representatives, including MLAs Kimneo Haokip Hangshing and Nemcha Kipgen, have strengthened their influence in governance.
Additionally, leaders such as PS Haokip, David Hangshing, and Thanglianpao Guite, many of Burmese origin, manipulate the political landscape while financing their activities through drug trade and poppy cultivation, it alleged.
It continued that the militants have obstructed free movement, attacked constitutional authorities-in-cluding the chief minister's convoy - and prevented Supreme Court Justice N Koteswar Singh from entering Churachandpur.
"Over 60,000 indigenous people remain displaced, unable to return home due to continued threats.
These groups also target cultural and religious sites, attempting to disrupt festivals and restricting access to Meetei pilgrimage sites.
Despite repeated violations, no decisive action has been taken against them".
"According to the SoO Agreement, groups found violating the ground rules can be removed from the pact upon the recommendation of the Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) .
The state government is empowered to terminate the agreement and take appropriate action, including the use of force, " the Alliance said and insisted that the SoO arrangement must be abrogated as it has become the primary obstacle to restoring peace and stability in Manipur.
The second annexure stated that illegal immigration in Manipur has been a persistent issue since India's independence and the state's integration into the Indian Union.
Official records, including a 1973 letter from MP P Haokip to KC Pant, acknowledged the presence of 1,500 Burmese refugees in Manipur since 1967.Further documentation from the Burma Kuki Refugees' Association in the same year led to the Government of India allocating INR 3,92,775 for their settlement.
However, under the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, illegal immigrants Cannot be granted Indian citizenship, yet many in Manipur have reportedly acquired it and enjoy Scheduled Tribe benefits, violating constitutional provisions and encouraging further illegal immigration.
This necessitates an immediate review of citizenship records and an NRC update to safeguard indigenous communities, the Alliance said.
It also included demographic data highlighting an exponential rise in the Kuki population, which was 4,67,854 in 2011 .
Recent estimates claim they now constitute 30 per cent of Manipur's population, approximately 9 lakhs.
However, projections based on the state's birth rate suggest a more reasonable figure of 5.4 lakhs, indicating an excess of 2-3 lakhs due to illegal immigration.
The proliferation of new villages in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts further supports this concern.
As highlighted by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the need to track illegal entrants for national security, the Meitei Alliance urged an immediate NRC update in Manipur before the delimitation process, warning that proceeding without it will legitimise illegal immigrants, alter demographics, and unfairly impact electoral outcomes.
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