The Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee for Peace has submitted a memorandum to the ministries of Road Transport and Highways, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, National Green Tribunal, National Commission for Women and National Human Rights Commission on Saturday, seeking their interventions to help resolve the crisis in Manipur.
The Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee for Peace is a non-governmental and non-profitable organisation of the women traders of the Sana Keithel or Ima Market in Imphal.
The peace committee members have been meeting various national leaders subsequent to the June 19 protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
In the memorandum submitted to the Transport Ministry, the committee stated that certain Kuki miscreants have enforced an illegal embargo (economic blockade) on the National Highway-2 at Kangpokpi district, which is one of the economic lifelines of Manipur, thereby causing disruptions in the free movement of commuters, shortages in the supply of essential commodities, price inflation, etc.
The committee sought immediate measures to bring an end to the illegal embargo.
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The committee also stated that since October 17, 2019, a hoarding christened as Centenary Gate: Anglo-Kuki War 1917-19 has been erected on NH-2 near a village called Leisang in Churachandpur district.
This hoarding was erected arbitrarily without obtaining permission from the concerned authorities, it stated, adding that this ‘illegal’ hoarding has also become a symbol of communal provocation and contention in conflict-ridden Manipur.
The committee has sought action to demolish the unauthorised hoarding/gate.
In the memorandum submitted to the Ministry of environment, forest and climate change and to the National Green Tribunal, the committee stated about the eulogised ecosystem of Manipur and how unregulated anthropogenic actions in the last few decades have been causing a steady destruction of the ecosystem.
Two main correlated causes of forest destruction are; (1) unregulated infiltration of people from Myanmar having corresponding impact on unnatural growth of villages in the hill districts, and (2) large scale illegal poppy plantation sponsored by unidentified cross-border drug lords, they stated.
To overcome this problem, the Manipur government has taken up correlated measures, such as (a) discouraging unnatural expansion of villages, (b) destruction of poppy cultivation, and (c) conservation of State’s Reserve Forest (1,467 square km.), Protected Forest (4,171 square km) and Unclassified Forest (11,780 square km), the committee added.
The Manipur government has attempted to survey the state’s Reserved and Protected Forests so as to identify and evict encroachers and start afforestation, the committee said, adding that evictions were carried out in some Reserved Forest and Protected Forest areas since January 1, 2018 to April 18, 2023.
The total number of evicted encroachers was 291. Community-wise number of evicted encroachers was - Meetei Pangal (116), Meetei (56), Kabui (Naga) (35), Nepali (22), Kuki (59), Chiru Naga (3).
These evictions were carried out in few areas of the valley districts such as Imphal East, Imphal West, and Thoubal districts.
Only a few areas could be touched in Naga-dominated Noney and Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi districts.
Further survey, eviction, and eviction drives could not be carried out due to obstruction by Kuki communal forces believed to be sponsored by drug lords who invested in poppy plantations, the committee stated.
Therefore, the committee has sought the concerned authorities' intervention to survey, protect and promote the environment and forest in the state of Manipur, it added.
The committee also sought the attention of the National Commission for Women to send a team to Manipur to study the situations of the female victims of communal clashes and to take up necessary actions to address their need for immediate relief and adequate rehabilitation.
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In the memorandum, it stated that according to official records, between May 3 and June 20, 129 persons have been killed, 393 persons have been injured and 5036 instances of arson have been reported while 52,599 internally displaced persons are taking shelter in relief camps scattered in various districts.
The number does not include those internally displaced persons who might have taken shelter elsewhere, the committee said.
“The collateral damages of communal clash and repression have not spared the female section of the population. Some of them have been killed, injured, and several thousands are languishing in relief camps. It includes infants, kids, children, prenatal carriers and postnatal bearers, widows, differently abled, etc. who need privacy, special attention and care as specific to their gender. Unfortunately, the plight and grievances of the female victims have not been adequately addressed”, it added.
To the NHRC, the committee sought to send a team to Manipur to study the situations of the victims of communal clashes and to take up necessary actions to address their need for immediate relief and adequate rehabilitation.
According to official records, of the 129 persons killed, 59 are Kuki, 45 are Meetei, three are others, and 23 are unidentified, the committee said.
Of the 393 persons injured, 128 are Kuki, 228 are Meetei, seven are others, 11 are Indian security forces, and 19 are Manipur police.
A total 5,036 instances of arson have been reported of which, 2,587 houses belonged to Kuki, 2,066 houses belonged to Meetei, and 253 churches and 130 temples were destroyed.
A total 52,599 internally displaced persons are taking shelter in relief camps of which 29,112 are Kuki, and 23,487 are Meetei, the committee stated.
Relief camps are scattered in various districts - 31 in Imphal West, 35 in Imphal East, 10 in Thoubal, 35 in Kakching, 53 in Bishnupur, 50 in Kangpokpi, 1 in Senapati, 4 in Jiribam, 15 in Ukhrul, 6 in Kamjong, 7 in Tengnoupal, and 107 in Churachandpur.
The number does not include those internally displaced persons who might have taken shelter elsewhere, the committee said in the memo.
On June 8, 2023 the Government of India reportedly approved a total amount of Rs 101.75 relief packages. Although such a quick response may partly address the needs of the victims of the communal clashes, the committee feels that continuous and proper assessment of the situation is required so that no victim is left out of adequate relief and rehabilitation, the committe stated in the memorandum.
