It pointed out that the crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023, has severely disrupted lives of the indigenous people, particularly the Meetei community and the immigrant community as well, due to attacks by the illegal migrant Chin-Kukis.

It reflected on the PM’s address on the situation in the Parliament during the last Monsoon Session in the Rajya Sabha, and asserted that the root causes and solutions to control the violence were not fully addressed. It maintained that the prolonged unrest has strained the social fabric of Manipur, endangering the very existence of the state.

It alleged that the violence is driven by heavily armed Chin-Kuki groups who are reportedly in agreement with the Government of India under the SoO truce. It stated that despite the presence of approximately 60,000 Indian Army and Assam Rifles personnel in the state, their effectiveness is allegedly curtailed by this agreement, preventing them from taking action against armed groups of a total of 2200 cadres, as admitted by the spokesman of the SoO groups in a recent TV interview.

It expressed firm belief that if the Government of India acts decisively, the violence can be stopped immediately. It further alleged that the state government, led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, has not been effective in creating a conducive atmosphere over the past 16 months.

It condemned Sunday’s killing of two people, injuring 10 and the burning of a village by Chin-Kuki militants near the National Sports University. The same illustrates the abject failure of CM Biren Singh government to foster a conducive atmosphere, it added.

WMC believes that replacing Biren Singh with another leader could improve the situation and foster a more conducive environment for peace, the release stated. It appealed to consider another leader to lead the state, so as to bring about much-needed change, in the interest of the people.