In the wake of the present ethnic tension between the Kukis and the Meiteis since May 3, a collective 15 organisations belonging to various communities of Manipur have submitted a memorandum to the allied offices and agencies of the United Nations, in connection with the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
The 15 organisations are the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), Committee on Human Rights (COHR), National Research Centre (NRC), Porei Leimarol Meirapaibi Apunba Lup Manipur (PLMPAM), Indigenous People’s Forum (IPF), Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM), All Manipur Ethnical Socio Cultural Organisation (AMESCO), All Manipur Meitei Pangal Clubs Organisation (AMMPCO), Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC), Pangal Students’ Organisation (PSO), All Manipur Women’s Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF), Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur (CRAM), Youths Foundation for Fitness and Service Manipur (YOFFS) and the All Manipur Manpower Upliftment Centre (AMMUC).
They submitted the memorandum to the Secretary General, United Nations, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, Under Secretary-General, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UN Civil Society Section, Amnesty International and ICRC, India Chapter (8) UNODC, Asia, calling for urgent attention on the issue of hunger, poverty, militarisation, partisan role of the central security forces of India, and unabated violation of Tripartite Suspension of Operation Ground Rules by the Kuki militants.
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The memorandum has underscored the breach of inter-community ties and peace in Manipur and in the entire Northeastern region due to the evident involvement of foreign Chin-Kuki-Mizo (Myanmarese) mercenaries in inciting inter-ethnic violence in Manipur. An unbiased international attention and intervention is the need of the hour in accordance with the established International Humanitarian Laws, claims the memorandum.
The memoranda seek to draw the attention of the UN to the issues of human rights violations and the blockade of lifeline like highways by the Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operation; the involvement of Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) and Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) in blocking the National Highways, disallowing free movement of people and transportation of essential commodities has been termed as inhuman and genocidal attitude for causing enormous price rise, poverty, and hunger in the state of Manipur. The issue of drug cartels and its ever-expanding financing network in the social and political life of the Northeast region and India-Myanmar borderland has been placed before the UN.
Explaining the origin of the present ethnic tension, the petition argues that the mobilization for Greater Chin-Kuki Homeland, also known as Zalengam project, has continuously impaired inter-ethnic relations in the region. The submission has highlighted how the ethnic Zo politics has worked in collusion with the narco-finance capital terror network driven by clan-based ethnic militant groups thereby making easy inroads into electoral politics and institutions of power. Delving on the issue, cross-border insidious economic activities like human trafficking, poppy cultivation, deforestation, illegal immigration, ecological issues, and space politics complicates the state, argues the petition. Giving a non-ethinicised perspective on drug economy and its menace, the petition argues that the region has transformed itself from a consumer to an opium producer which is a cause of alarm for every ethnic identity.
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The petition apprises the UN to understand the historically distinct shared democratic, and plural body polity of Manipur. The democratic participation of Nagas, Meiteis, Kukis and Pangals (Manipur Muslims) in the independent Constitutional and modern state making process in Manipur has been highlighted to acquaint the UN with the fraternal political history of Manipur.
The memorandum stresses on the inter-connected topography of Manipur as it apprises the international community to know that three-four per cent of Manipur’s valley is home to nearly 60 per cent states population which warrants for envisioning of a democratic and just land laws.
Highlighting the issue of demography and geo-politics, the memorandum cites the issue of the influx of foreigners, inability on the part of the government of India to implement NRC and Zo exclusive Greater Homeland territorial project as among the key concerns that is to prove inimical to ethnic harmony, integrity, and peace in Manipur.
The collective of 15 organisations pledged before the UN agencies to probe and punish the violation of International Humanitarian Laws by the Chin-Kuki militants under SoO under established international norms.
The memorandum also pledged with the UN to mandate the ICRC to extend its humanitarian relief and services to all the victims of the present violence while urging it to apprise the Indian state to uphold the territorial and administrative integrity of Manipur.
In the memorandum, the organisations also urged the UN to ensure free movement of people on the national highways and transportation of essential goods including food be ensured.
Further, it urged the UN for an investigation on the proliferation of narco-cartel organised violent networks, small arms trade and its long-term ramifications on youths and ethnic harmony in Manipur. It further urged the UN and ICRC to extend its support in rehabilitation and reparation for the damages and losses inflicted by the conflict.
The memorandum urged to ensure, act responsibly and to provide adequate security measures in vulnerable and sensitive areas so that the communities displaced can return to their original settlement areas.
