IMF lays down sensible points for Delhi to digest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 02 2023: She has already bled enough.

Manipur must not be balkanised further either by creating a Union Territory or a separate administration, said the International Meeteis Forum in a memorandum submitted to 21 Members of Parliament of the Opposition alliance-INDIA.

Submitted on July 30 to the MPs who visited Manipur for two days, the memorandum traced the genesis of the present unprecedented conflict between Meiteis and the Kukis and identified the Kuki militants, under Suspension of Operation with the Government of India, and the infiltrators from Myanmar as the cause.

Placing seven demands before the MPs to raise to the India Government in the Parliament, the International Meeteis Forum laid down details of the sequence of events that eventually led to the violence on May 3 .

After the State Government started a massive crackdown on poppy cultivation, on April 8 Kuki Independent Army (KIA) raided a SoO camp at Henglep sub-division, Churachandpur and looted a large cache of arms and ammunition.

It is alleged that the arms and ammunition were mutually handed over, not looted, said IMF.

On April 27, an open Gym which was scheduled to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister in Churachandpur was burnt down and vandalised.

On April 28, an eight hour total shutdown at Churachandpur district was called by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) and during the shutdown, all shops owned by Meeteis at Salem Veng were vandalised, a Forest Range Office (Tuibong) was set ablaze and vehicles vandalised.

Kuki mobs even attacked a police station and attacked a Meetei house and destroyed a Meetei Temple of Lord Pakhangba.

There were press notes and briefings with communal tinges from Kuki Liberation Army (L) and ATSUM on April 29, said IMF.

Since May 3, Kuki militants have been continuously attacking Meetei settlements, killing and injuring innocent civilians, said the forum.

It then placed seven demands to the MPs.

First, IMF said there shouldn't be further balkanisation of the present Manipur State and its area of 22,327 square kilometres either by creating a Territorial Council/Union Territory/Greater Mizoram/Separate Administration or any sort of bifurcation based on ethnic line.

Manipur, after the defeat to the British in 1891, started losing its territories gradually and finally lost Kabaw Valley soon after its merger to the Indian Union, it added.

Second, the Government of India shouldn't hold further talks with the two SoO Kuki militant groups (KNO and UPF) by dropping the key clause of the Agreement that aims to protect Manipur's integrity.

The demand of the separatist "narco-terrorist" groups consisting of non-indigenous leaders is highly uncalled for and it (demand) shall not be encouraged in any case, said IMF.

The illegal influx of the foreign Nationals is a threat to the indigenous communities of Manipur and its environment, IMF said, hinting that illegal immigrants from Myanmar are involved in large scale deforestation and poppy cultivation.

The Kuki militants and their people's uncontrolled immigration are not only a threat to the North-East but to the whole of India.

It is a National Security concern, which is confirmed by troubles brewing in Myanmar, Bangladesh etc, it added.

Third, the Kukis in Manipur are non-indigenous tribe who started settling in Manipur only from the year 1845 coming mostly from the erstwhile Burma (now Myanmar).

While those who immigrated to Manipur early may be allowed to remain as citizens as old Kukis in Manipur, granting recognition to all illegal Kuki-Chin-Zo immigrants who are continuously pouring in over the recent decades till date is high objectionable and this needs immediate monitoring in order to deport the illegal immigrants to their original places as per the existing law of the country, said IMF.

Fourth, Manipur's unique history and identity should be respected by inserting a special provision in Article 3 of the Indian Constitution to protect its existing territorial boundary.

Manipur shall no longer be a prey to the mindless ethnic parochial demands in the region.

She has already bled enough in serving colonial interests, said IMF.

Fifth, controlling and stopping the Kuki SoO groups first from attacking innocent Meeteis and their villages is the only way forward to stop the prevailing violence in the State.

Foreign elements supporting the SoO groups shall be deported.

The atrocities are perpetrated by the Kukis, Meeteis are simply defending their lives, families and villages, said IMF.

Sixth, the forum urged the Government of India to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur at the earliest with 1951 as the base year.

Seventh, Mizoram Government shall not interfere and play communal politics in the internal affairs of Manipur in order to gain vote banks in the upcoming general elections.

Manipur is not a dumping place for those illegal immigrants/refugees for whom the MNF and its Chief Minister verily extend solidarity now and then.

All right thinking political parties shall condemn this unwanted interference in the internal affairs of Manipur, said IMF.

It expressed hope that the MPs who visited Manipur will raise a strong voice on the floor of the Parliament for an amicable solution so that an everlasting normalcy and peace may be restored in the State.

If the Centre and the State Government remain as spectators as felt by the public today for not controlling the illegal activities of the Kui narco-terrorists, soon the Meeteis may shift from their present defensive line to an offensive stance to protect the integrity of the State, said IMF.

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