Chidambaram's comments draw flaks
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 04 2023: Congress leader P Chidambaram's remark on Manipur crisis on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has invited wrath from many sections for wrongfully painting the conflict as "ethnic cleansing" of a particular community.

DM College Assistant Professor Arambam Noni said he strongly condemns the reckless and thoughtless statement of Congress leader P Chidambaram which projected Meiteis in the wrong light before the world.

On X, former Union Finance Minister P Chidam- baram had said "According to a report in the Hindu, the last five Kuki families in Imphal were forcibly removed from their homes by the authorities.

This means that "ethnic cleansing" is complete in the Imphal valley that is dominated by the Meitei people.

A State Government presides over "ethnic cleansing" and the Central Government claims that the government of the State is being carried on in accordance with the Constitution.

There can be nothing more shameful than this development.

It marks a new low in India's descent into lawlessness" .

Meanwhile, at a discussion programme organised by the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) at Imphal East's Kongba Kshetri Leikai community hall (Number 2), Assistant Professor Noni said P Chidambaram had made the reckless statement following the evacuation of 24 Kukis from New Lambulane by the security forces during the wee hours of September 2 .

P Chidambaram's accusing statement has shown Meiteis as the aggressors and in the wrong light before the world.

The statement was a "hate speech" and it has maligned and damaged the image of the Meiteis, he said.

Asking the Congress leader if the 24 Kukis evacuated were ever attacked by Meiteis while they were in Imphal, Noni said, none attacked them and their houses have not been burnt or attacked.

Notably, for evacuating the 24 Kuki people, the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC) had praised the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police Commando and State Government, he said.

P Chidambaram's statement was motivated and it had preached hatred against the Meiteis.

He should be condemned in the strongest terms by all .

Going by P Chidambaram's assessment of the situation and evacuation of "last Kukis from Imphal", Noni said "one may be forced to say that ethnic cleansing of Meiteis from Churachandpur and Moreh had been completed much earlier" .

There are still Kuki houses in Imphal and there were at least 24 Kukis till September 1, but there have been no Meiteis in Churachandpur and Moreh since the early stage of the conflict.

All the houses belonging to Meiteis were burnt down and levelled to the ground in Churachandpur, Moreh and other places, he said.

Since May 3, armed Kukis have killed civilians, raped women, burnt houses and displaced thousands of Meitei people, he said, asking if these could be defined as ethnic cleansing.

On the many numerous atrocities that have been committed against the Meitei community, no political leaders in mainland India have voiced their concern, he added.

Further, he stated that the report of the "so-called fact finding team" of the EGI was "based on a foundation of lies" and it is "one sided" .

The Assistant Professor then urged the people and all the civil organisations to raise their voices against such wrongful representation of the conflict.

AMUCO president Pheiroijam Nando Luwang, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi president L Memchoubi and Imphal East District United Clubs Organization (IEDUCO) president T Dwijo among others attended the discussion programme.

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