Macha Leima slams Kuki UGs, airs plight of camp inmates
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 18 2023: Macha Leima has raised strong objection against Kuki armed groups both under and outside the purview of Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement for their involvement in the May 3 tribal solidarity march in Churachandpur district, which led to the communal violence, and their involve-ment in burning houses and murdering innocent civilians, Addressing a press con-ference at its office here on Thursday, Macha Leima pres-ident W Amusana said Meetei has been at the forefront of upholding and protecting the unity and integrity of Manipur for ages and should shoul-der the same responsibility.

Macha Leima slams Kuki UGs, airs plight of camp inmates

It is the Meetei community that has been protecting the identity of different small and indigenous communities of the state.

Still today, Meeteis are playing major role in any threat to the unity, integri-ty and identity of Manipur by giving up their personal interest, she said while call-ing upon the community to play the same role they have been playing since time im-memorial.

She also urged the government to play its part in protecting the integrity of the state.

Informing that Macha Lei-ma has been providing relief materials to camps in different parts of the state since May 5, she said that they came across hardships faced by the dis-placed people, who are taking refuge in many of the camps.

In one such camp set up at SEYA Club, Moirang Khunou Malcha Leikai, there are two visually impaired elderly women hoping to return to their respective homes soon.

Similarly, there are differ-ently abled persons at a re-lief camp at Heingang High School.

Many inmates of the relief camp set up at Kumbi Awang High School are also in danger of contracting com-municable as well as lifestyle diseases.

Except for first aid materials and medicine for common ailment, many of the patients of lifestyle diseases such as BP and diabetes are yet to get their daily doses of medicines, she said.

During their visit, they came across the ordeals and sense of insecurity felt by locals of villages located in foothills such as Senjam Chi-rang, Kadangband, Yairipok Nungbrang and Torbung Mamang Leikai among others in guarding their villages and properties against the heavily armed Kuki militants with-out any firearm or adequate security measures, she said.

She then demanded the government to expedite the process for restoring peace and normalcy, and for reset-tlement and rehabilitation of the displaced people.

She also came down hard against the 10 Kuki MLAs, who raised the demand for separate administration while terming it as unreasonable and untenable.

She further demanded the Central gov-ernment to withdraw the So0 agreement with Kuki mili-tants while understanding their diabolic role not only in the communal violence be-tween Kuki and Meetei but also in the illegal activities of poppy plantation by clearing reserved and protected forest areas of the state, which also has serious repercussion to the state's climatic condition.

Amusana also demanded the government to take up NRC exercise in the state to identity illegal immigrants in the state and deport them in order to restore lasting peace.