The Manipuri Meitei Association, Bengaluru (MMAB) on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealing for decisive action against escalating Kuki militant’s aggression in Manipur and safeguarding national integrity and public security.
The memorandum, signed by MMAB president Maj Rajkumar Jhaljit Singh (Retd) and MMAB general secretary Nongthombam John Singh, said that since the outbreak of the violence, the association has consistently emphasised that the conflict is not about the legitimate demand for ST status by the Meitei, but driven by a premeditated agenda by Kuki militants to establish a separate administration and an independent nation for the Kuki people, known as Zelangam.
It mooted that the scale, speed, and severity of the violence suggest both premeditation and possible external orchestration. It alleged that the violence was never about religion or ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities but always about Kuki militants, backed by external agencies, waging war against India.
It asserted that the Meitei community has been defending not only their people but also the territorial integrity of India, adding that the Meitei are one of the few indigenous communities that have preserved their traditional culture.
It drew the attention of the Prime Minister towards the recent escalation of violence and the nefarious plans of Kuki militants, supported by external actors, which threaten to prolong the conflict and create national and internal security risks.
It highlighted concerns including Water Contamination by kuki militants; Blockades of National Highways; Military-Grade Weaponry of Foreign Technology and asserted the situation is deeply concerning and cannot be allowed to continue. It also listed various actions urging the central government to take decisive action to support Manipur, the Meitei community, and the Indian nation in combating these anti-national elements.
The actions include abrogation of SoO Agreement with Kuki Militants; to protect the integrity of Manipur and India; Protection of National Highways which is vital for the state’s connectivity; independent judicial inquiry against Kuki leaders and militant groups like KNF, UPF, and KNO; reconstruction and resettlement for affected families and displaced individuals; National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Census Implementation; strengthening Border Security; to ensure Constitutional Protection for Meitei and understanding the people’s sentiment.
MMAB and Meitei Alliance believe that these measures are critical to restoring normalcy in Manipur and ensuring the security and integrity of the region, it stated. It also reaffirmed its commitment to peace and the development of Manipur and the Northeast and urged the government to prioritize these actions for the well-being of all citizens.
