DMCC points finger at GoI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 25 2025: The Government of India must end "facilitating" Kuki militants "through" the Assam Rifles and ensure unbiased law enforcement, the Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee has asserted strongly.

In a statement, the DMCC alleged that the blatant "facilitation" of Kuki militants is not possible without the sanction and support of the Government of India.

On February 22, members of the Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) intercepted personnel of the Assam Rifles while they were allegedly facilitating the transportation of Kuki militants under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.

"This raises serious questions about the security forces' role in abetting violence, as these militants have been responsible for targeted attacks against the Meetei community over the past 21 months," said the DMCC.

The Government of India's "complicity" in the violence was further exposed by the denial of drone bombings against Meetei villages in Manipur by the former DG, Assam Rifles, and Chief of the Indian Army, it said.

The use of drones for bombing is being investigated by the NIA, and reportedly, there has emerged ample evidence suggesting that this sophisticated technology was used on civilians to harm and kill them, asserted DMCC.

While Kuki militants operate freely under the SoO agreement, security forces have disproportionately cracked down on the Meeteis, it said.

More than 100 armed individuals from the valley have been arrested, including 22 Arambai Tenggol members, further exposing a clear bias in law enforcement under President's Rule.

Despite the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur, the complicity of security forces, suppression of truth, and selective law enforcement continue to fuel unrest and deepen the crisis, said the committee.

"The disappearance of Kamal Babu from inside the 57 Mountain military camp at Leimakhong in November 2024 further confirms the Indian State's complicity.

Who will protect the Meeteis if they are disappearing from within an Indian army camp?" DMCC asked.

Furthermore, all Meetei houses near Leimakhong Army Camp were "allowed" to be burned down by Kuki militants in 2023, it added.

Making a series of demands, DMCC said, the Government of India must end "facilitating" Kuki militants "through" the Assam Rifles and ensure unbiased law enforcement.

The Centre must "stop India's failed Burma policy of weaponizing ethnic armies, particularly Kuki armed groups in Manipur against Meeteis" .

The Government must cease all support and patronage of sectarian forces and Kuki militants involved in Manipur violence.

Displaced people, both Kukis and Meeteis, shall be allowed to return to their original places in Imphal as well as in the hills.

All Kuki bunkers surrounding the valley region must be dismantled, and division of people through buffer zones must end.

As long as the Government of India continues to support and protect Kuki militants, peace and coexistence will remain unattainable.

There must be genuine efforts to bring peace and reconciliation between the Meeteis and Kukis in Manipur, said DMCC .

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