ZCSC petitions PM on NIA case, woes of Zo people
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 04 2023:
The Zomi Council Steering Committee (ZCSC), representing the nine Zomi tribes of Manipur, submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India on Wednesday regarding its objection to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) case and sought an early political solution for the Zo people (Zomi-Kuki-Hmar ethnic tribes) in Manipur.
Refuting allegations of infiltration on the part of the Zo people and transnational conspiracy involving terror outfits from Myanmar and Bangladesh to wage war against the Government of India, ZCSC provided clarity on the situation through the memorandum.
The memorandum highlighted the ever-changing storylines of chief minister N Biren Singh with concocted narratives with the latest one being his public statement that infiltrators from across the border are responsible for the current ethnic clashes in Manipur.' The memorandum also delved on the Zomi community's emphatic denial of any outside involvement in the ongoing ethnic conflict and highlighted how such a narrative is not supported by the reality on the ground.
The memorandum further highlighted concerted efforts of the Manipur government to prevent infiltrators from coming into the state including the immediate sealing of the border checkpoints and tightening of security at the start of the Spring Revolution of Myanmar in early 2021 and cancelation of Free Movement Regime (FMR) provisions to restrict all forms of movement from both sides of the boundary, and setting up of a Cabinet Committee to look into the issue of infiltration.
The memorandum outlined how the Zomi community and its national organisations (Zomi Re-unification Organization/Zomi Revolutionary Army) cherished the democratic principles of India and sought political solutions within the Constitutional Framework of India, thereby entering into SoO agreement with the Government of India and playing an active role in maintaining peace and security along the border areas.
Acknowledging that narratives surrounding the incidents in Manipur have been manipulated by various parties, leading to misinformation and confusion, the memorandum mentioned about necessity of the Indian government to critically assess any information presented and refrain from drawing conclusions without concrete evidence.
It also urged the Prime Minister to intervene and bring an end to the crisis in Manipur and withdraw NIA cases based on false narratives and further appealed to the PM to expedite political talks with SoO groups for a separate administration (Union Territory with Legislature) within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
The memorandum concluded that such an arrangement will only ensure inclusive development, durable peace, a stable borderland and peaceful co-existence in the region.