The 10 MLAs of the Kuki-Zo tribes of Manipur have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him for immediate creation of the post of the chief secretary or its equivalent post and the post of DGP or equivalent post for five hill districts for “efficient administration”.
In the memorandum submitted to the PM on Wednesday, the 10 MLAs requested the PM to create the posts at Lamka in Churachandpur district for the five hill districts of Chandel, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal and Pherzawl.
The 10 Manipur legislators also requested the prime minister to sanction Rs 500 crore from the PM's Relief Fund.
In the memorandum, the MLAs stated the Kuki-Zomis, mostly residing in Imphal as government employees, businessmen, daily wage earners and laborers, were affected by the violence that broke out on May 3, 2023. They also stated that students studying in the valley were adversely affected by the incident, thus leading to loss of their academic session and career.
Suddenly they were subjected to a wave of devastating attacks by the Meitei militias, viz. Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun along with Meitei mobs in Greater Imphal area, during which their residential houses, quarters, vehicles were torched and burnt to ashes, which spread like wildfire within the city of Imphal, the Manipur State Capital.
Even members of the State Legislative Assembly were not spared, they stated, adding that the Manipur Legislative Assembly Member of Thanlon Constituency Vungzagin Valte and his driver were waylaid while he was returning from a meeting from the Chief Minister's Bungalow.
Stating that the Imphal capital has become a valley of death and destruction for the Kuki-Zo people, the MLAs added that no one dares to go back to Imphal, where important offices, including the state secretariat and other important government offices and institutions are located.
No Kuki-Zo people can go to Imphal, nor government employees posted in Imphal capital and other valley districts can attend their offices, the MLAs stated while alleging that “there seems to be no end because it is a state-sponsored war against Kuki-Zo tribals”.
It is also pertinent to mention here that even the IAS and MCS officers, and IPS and MPS officers belonging to the Kuki- Zo tribes have been unable to function and discharge their duties as Imphal valley has also become a valley of death for us, they stated.
In order to solve the problems faced by the government employees belonging to the Kuki-Zo tribals and for efficient administration of the districts inhabited by us, the post of Chief Secretary or its equivalent post and the post of DGP or equivalent post need to be immediately created. Besides, other key senior level posts in the civil and police department should also be created in public interest, the MLAs stated.
The MLAs of the Kuki-Zo tribes also appealed to the prime minister to sanction Rs 500 crore from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund for proper rehabilitation of the Zomi-Kuki people.
