WMC calls for decisive action, change of leadership
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 02 2024: Highlighting the deadly terror attack carried out by Kuki militants at Koutruk near National Sports University on September 1, 2024 in which two persons were killed, 10 injured and several houses burnt down, the World Meetei Council (WMC) has urged the Government of India to take up decisive actions and change the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren.

The WMC submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today saying that the Manipur violence can be stopped immediately only if the Government of India acts decisively.

Historically, Manipur has faced challenges since it became a part of India in 1949 and later attained Statehood in 1972.While past unrest was often political, the current violence seems aimed at destabilizing the State itself, it said.

The violence, which began on May 3, 2023, has severely disrupted the lives of the indigenous people, particularly the Meetei community and the immigrant community as well, due to attacks by the illegal migrant Chin-Kukis, the WMC said in their memorandum.

"Sir, while you addressed the situation in the Parliament during the last Monsoon Session in the Rajya Sabha, we feel that the root causes and solutions to control the violence were not fully addressed", the WMC wrote to the Prime Minister.

The prolonged unrest has strained the social fabric of Manipur, endangering the very existence of the State, it said.

The memorandum also pointed out that the violence is driven by heavily armed Chin-Kuki groups who are reportedly in agreement with the Government of India under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement.

Despite the presence of approximately 60,000 Indian Army and Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur, their effectiveness is curtailed by this agreement, which prevents them from taking action against these armed groups of a total of 2200 cadres as admitted by the spokesman of the SoO groups in a recent TV interview, it said.

Additionally, it is concerning that the State Government, led by N Biren Singh, has not been effective in creating a conducive atmosphere over the past sixteen months.

"Recent incidents, for example; the killing of two people and injuring ten and the burning of a village by the Chin-Kuki near the National Sports University, the foundation stone of which was laid by you, illustrate the abject failure of Biren Singh Government to foster conducive atmosphere", it asserted.

It further asserted that replacing N Biren Singh with another leader could improve the situation and foster a more conducive environment for peace.

"In the interest of the people of Manipur who have endured so much suffering, we request that another leader be considered to lead the State and bring about the much needed change", it added.

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