"Respect Indian Constitution or return to Myanmar"
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 09 2025: The Kukis have no other option other than to return to their origin Myanmar if they continue to violate provisions of Indian Constitution particularly Article 19 (1), which guarantees every citizen the right to move freely within the territory of India, and act at will just as they blocked national highways on Saturday, stated National People's Party (NPP), Manipur president Yumnam Joykumar.

Addressing media persons at NPP's Naoremthong state office on Sunday, Joykumar recounted the recent security review meet on Manipur convened by Union home minister Amit Shah, subsequent announcement for free movement along the national highways from March 8 and issuance of warning to take strict action against those obstructing free movement.

Respect Indian Constitution or return to Myanmar

If the Kukis believe they are citizens of the country living in the state of Manipur and uphold provisions of the Indian Constitution, they should not have blocked the national highways on the first day of Amit Shah's free movement initiative to bring back peace and normalcy in the state, he opined.

Further stating that the Kukis should accept the Union government's free movement initiative if they are citizens of the country, Joykumar maintained that the protest launched to oppose the centre's effort to resolve the crisis is akin to ringing out the message that Kukis are averse to accepting that the land they reside do not belong to India.

As such, if the Kukis do not abide by the Indian Constitution, then they have no return to their country of origin, Myanmar, he said.

Expressing regret over casualties suffered in clashes between the protestors and the security forces after the former resorted to violence in defiance of Amit Shah's firm directive to ensure free flow of vehicular movement along NH-2, Joykumar said no one gains from violence.

While welcoming steps being taken up by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to bring back peace and normalcy in the state, he urged the Governor to continue putting efforts to open the highways fully.

He also suggested the Governor to take up steps to enable Kukis to board flight from Imphal airport.

The press conference was also attended by important functionaries of NPP state unit.