Is Manipur not part of India? NPP queries Centre
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 10 2023: While the India-Pakistan war was resolved in 1-2 months, the central governing is just watching the conflict in Manipur go on for over four months.

As such, National People's Party (NPP) vice president and former deputy chief minister Yumnam Joy-kumar questioned whether Manipur is even a part of India, while stating that the ethnic violence in Manipur has surpassed all limits.

Addressing a press meet held at NPP's office in Naoremthong here, Y Joykumar said that the central government should be impartial and treat everyone equally.

Un fortunately, the central forces are allowing the Kukis to do whatever they please, including allowing the latter it use drone bombs, similar to Russia-Ukraine war.

He questioned whose responsibility the matter is supposed to be, and remarked that the central government should think the matter seriously, or else posers will be raised on whether Manipur is part of India or not.

At present, it is difficult to visualise any positive results and possibility of restoration of peace and normalcy in Manipur.

If the violence continues any longer, the people of Manipur will stop being patient and silent and take any action.

The Kuki MLAs also need to rethink the matter.

While they are alive and well, the innocent Kuki public are under immense suffering.

The price of rice in Churachandpur is at Rs 200 per kg, which can be barely afforded by any Kuki, he further remarked.

The NPP vice president mentioned the lack of discussion on Manipur issue in the parliament apart from a few sentences on the viral video.

The state assembly also held only a one-day session but no discussion was held on how to best resolve the conflict.

The government neither wants to examine or follow the decisions and actions of previous government in similar conflict situations nor has the political will to do so.

When the Meetei mothers went to Torbung Bangla, they were driven away by the security forces.

But when state forces tried to enter Moreh, they saw Kuki womenfolk blocking the road and returned silently.

Peace is impossible when such partiality exists.

If peace is to be restored, equal action must be taken against both parties.

Additionally, everyone is aware that the mothers have been forced to come out to the roads and seek donations to buy ammunition since the government has failed to perform its functions, he conveyed, while questioning if this was a sign of good governance.

Further questioning why the state forces have been denied of their powers, the former deputy CM contended that Manipur Police is a professional force.

Kukis say that Manipur police commandos and IRB are for the Meeteis, but this should be taken with a grain of salt.

The action of the commandos against valley-based Meetei insurgents once upon a time, had restored peace in the valley.

At the time, the commandos conducted the operation against the Meetei.

Thus, it should be understood by all concerned that Manipur Police is a force which is against the law breakers regardless of whether they are Kuki, Naga or Meetei, he contended.

Strongly condemning the excessive force used by Assam Rifles during the Pallel incident, Joykumar asked whether Assam Rifles is protecting the citizens or murdering them.

The demand for removal of Assam Rifles, truthfully, came late.

To restore peace, the first priority should be to dismantle the bunkers set up by Kukis under the protection of Assam Rifles.

The bunkers of the Meetei will then naturally be removed.

But peace would be far-fetch dream if the force supports one side and the revenge gunfights continue one after another, he remarked.

Regarding the press meet, Joykumar informed-that NPP will soon submit a memorandum to the state government.

The main points of the memorandum include rectifying the jurisdiction of Sadar hills in hills present in valley districts, particularly the sacred and historical sites of Langol, Cheirao hill range, Baruni and Koubru, which were included under Sadar Hills when Manipur was about to attain statehood, by the then Kuki officers.

This has led to the present administrative issues faced by the state government and also the hill areas.

Thus, the hill ranges located in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Imphal East districts should be included under the jurisdiction of the respective valley districts.

However, consecutive governments, despite being aware of the same, had avoided touching the matter fearing affects to their political power, he said.

The press meet was also attended by NPP general secretary (administration) Russel Heisnam, vice president U Romesh, Oinam Romen and NPYF president Laitonjam Jayananda along with other leaders of the party.

Comment