Don't be one sided : DMCC to GoI
Source: The Sangai Express

Delhi/Imphal, May 29 2024: The Delhi Meetei Co-ordinating Committee (DMCC) has urged the Government of India to sincerely work towards bringing peace and conditions for coexistence in Manipur, and "end taking the side of Kuki militants" .

In a press conference held at Press Club of India in Delhi today, the committee's spokesperson, Dr Bobo said the Kuki militants, since May 3, 2023, have launched coordinated attacks on Meitei community and all the while the Central Government remains adamant to end the conflict.

He gave a detailed account of the ongoing conflict in Manipur and armed Kuki militants' calculated aggression against the Meiteis.

He also accused the Central Government agencies of selectively targeting Meiteis.

Addressing the media, Dr Bobo said bringing about permanent peace and condition of peaceful coexistence in Manipur requires the Government of India to take action against all lawbreakers in Manipur and cease taking the side of the Kuki militants.

The committee chose to conduct the press conference today to remind the Government of the Kuki militants' well coordinated attacks on 13 Meitei villages on this day a year ago, he said.

In the early hours of May 28, 2023, thirteen Meetei villages across three districts were brutally attacked by heavily armed Kuki militants, he said.

The villages that came under fire were Phayeng Khunou Freedom Hills, Singda Kadangband Part-I, Sugnu, Serou, Wapokpi, Chandonpokpi, Kamson Tampak, Napat, Tangjeng Ahallup, Yaingangpokpi, Sanasabi, Shanti Khongbal and Gwaltabi.

In these brutal attacks, 12 Meiteis including two personnel of State forces, 2 Kukis were killed and 44 people were injured, he said.

These coordinated attacks on Meeteis were carried out when General Manoj Panday, Chief of Army Staff and Eastern Command Chief Lt General RP Kalita were stationed in Imphal.

This was ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the State on May 29, 2023 said Dr Bobo, hinting these incidents weren't a coincidence but deliberate.

He continued that the first major attacks on Meetei villages were carried out on May 3, 2023 in the border area between Kuki dominated Churachandpur and Meitei dominated Bishnupur districts, Ekou in Kuki dominated Kangpokpi district and Moreh in Tengnoupal district.

On that day (May 3, 2023), one Meetei woman was raped by Kuki miscreants in Churachandpur and many houses were burnt down.

These brutal attacks were carried out when the Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was in Manipur, Dr Bobo said.

While the onslaught of the Kuki militants continued, further major coordinated attacks were carried out against Manipur Police from December 31, 2023 to January 8, 2024 at Kuki dominated Moreh in Tengnoupal district, he continued.

In the attacks that lasted more than a week, the Kuki militants, armed with sophisticated weapons, fired a barrage of bombs and rocket propelled grenades at the police commandos at Moreh causing several casualties among the State forces and Central security forces.

Notably, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Chingtham Anand Kumar and several security personnel were killed in many attacks carried out by Kuki militants in Moreh.

While the intense attacks continued, the 5 Assam Rifles stationed at Moreh did not engage the Kuki militants, said Dr Bobo.

As no action has been taken against the Kuki militants by Central security forces including the Assam Rifles till today, it has become clear that the Kuki militants are enjoying immunity granted by the Government of India under the Suspension of Operation agreement, Dr Bobo asserted.

The Indian paramilitary forces and Assam Rifles have the knowledge about the locations of all the camps of the Kuki militants, yet they have not acted in sync with the State security forces.

If only they had acted together, all the attacks could have been thwarted and curbed, he said.

Now, there is a strong suspicion among the public that the Government of India is allowing the violence to continue in Manipur.

They have suspicion of the Government of India taking the side of the Kuki militants and targeting Meiteis, Dr Bobo said.

As violence continues even after one year, Meeteis have been selectively targeted, isolated, attacked and victimised, he added.

Image Meira convenor Sujata, DMCC advisor Hijam Rajen, DMCC convenor Dr Seram Rojesh were present in the press meet.

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