Bangalore protest calls for ending Manipur violence
Source: Chronicle News Service

Bangalore, July 28 2024: Karnataka Meitei Association (KMA) organised a mass demonstrations in Bangalore on Sunday to urge both the state and central governments take decisive action to end the 15-month long violence in Manipur and restore normalcy.

The participants alleged government indifference to the plight of the people of Manipur and called for a more concrete and targeted approach to resolve the ongoing crisis.

In a statement KMA said that the crisis in the state that began on May 3 last year, continues to devastate the entire state of Manipur, lead to loss of many lives, destruction of over 5000 houses, and displacement of more than 60,000 people with little hope for the future while Meetei houses and properties continue to be targeted and burned by Kuki militant groups in the adjoining areas between the two communities.

They opined that the Meeteis bear no ill will toward the old Kuki population, who have lived harmoniously with various communities in Manipur for many years.

However, they highlighted that Kuki refugees who infiltrated Manipur over the past few decades have caused serious disruption to peaceful coexistence.

The root cause of the Manipur violence, according to the protesters, is illegal immigration and the nefarious activities of these individuals, including poppy plantations for illicit drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.

KMA demanded that the government of India cease taking sides with Kuki militants and questioned why the suspension of operations with these militants, who have not adhered to ground rules, is being upheld till today.

To end the cycle of violence, the association urged the government of India to withdraw any form of support or favouritism toward Kuki militants and to take stringent actions against those who instigate violence and unrest in the state.

The KMA also outlined their legitimate demands and emphasised the need for immediate and comprehensive actions to address the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

They called for the reinstatement of displaced Meeteis, and facilitate their safe return to their original homes apart from demanding immediate withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur for alleged misconduct and aiding Kuki militants since May 3, and their replacement with other central security forces such aS BSF and CRPF.

Additionally, KMA urged for removal of artificial divisions within Manipur that create unnecessary separation, and do away with imaginary buffer zones.

They stressed the importance of implementing the National Register of Citizens (NRC), proper border fencing and deployment of security forces, excluding Assam Rifles, for effective border protection.

Furthermore, they called for the restoration of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status of Meeteis to provide constitutional protection for their land against foreign encroachment.

The protest aimed at bringing attention to the dire situation in Manipur and to demand immediate and proactive intervention from both state and central governments.

The KMA called for the restoration of normalcy and peaceful coexistence in the state, while urging authorities to address the underlying issues and bring an end to the violence that has plagued the state for over a year.

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