A coalition of 10 like-minded political parties in Manipur has taken a firm stance against the demand for a separate administration in the state.
Led by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra and CLP leader O Ibobi of the INC, the group submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through the PMO office on Tuesday for his immediate intervention to resolve the ongoing ethnic crisis.
The coalition includes the CPI, CPI-M, JD-U, AIFB, RSP, SS-UBT, TMC, NCP, and APP, all of whom share the common goal of opposing the separatist demand.
Despite their efforts to meet the Prime Minister in person, the leaders were unable to do so due to his ongoing tour in the United States.
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The memorandum highlights the grave consequences of the ongoing crisis in Manipur, which erupted on May 3.
It stated that the violence has claimed 150 lives, injured over 1,000 people, led to the burning of more than 5,000 houses, and displaced over 60,000 individuals.
Unfortunately, the violence persists, resulting in further casualties, injuries, and property damage, despite assurances from Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent visit to the state, it mentioned.
Recognising Manipur as an extraordinarily diverse society, the memorandum emphasises the urgent need for peace, harmony, and reconciliation among all communities. It asserted that the grievances of each community must be heard and addressed with sensitivity.
Furthermore, the memorandum calls for the immediate disarmament of all armed groups and cessation of firing, along with the implementation of adequate security measures.
The memorandum also urged strict adherence to the SoO ground rules by Kuki militants and appealed to the Central government to ensure the reopening of NH-2, which has been blocked by certain Kuki organisations.
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It deemed the relief package of Rs 101.75 crore announced by the Central government as inadequate, given the magnitude of the affected people and properties lost to the violence.
The coalition requests a realistic package for relief, rehabilitation, resettlement and livelihood, with the Central government bearing the cost.
Additionally, the memorandum emphasises the importance of maintaining strict vigilance by security forces to prevent the influx of illegal migrants from Myanmar through the porous border into Manipur, considering the disturbed conditions in the neighbouring country.
The memorandum also expressed concern over the ambiguity surrounding the invocation of Article 355 of the constitution in Manipur by both the Union and state governments.
It alleged that the Prime Minister's silence on the ethnic violence and the resulting loss of lives and havoc in Manipur sent a clear message of indifference to the people.
The memorandum also places blame on Chief Minister N Biren, accusing him of being the architect of the present ethnic violence due to his arbitrary actions.
It contended that if timely preventive measures had been taken, the ethnic clashes could have been avoided and recalled the incident where Biren admitted that the ongoing crises was due to security and intelligence lapses on the part of the state government.
Meanwhile the team of MPCC who were camping at the national capital also called on chairperson of Congress Parliamentary Party, Sonia Gandhi, and discussed the ongoing turmoil in Manipur for every possible intervention to restore peace.
