Editor
SILCHAR: In a show of solidarity, hundreds of members from four Manipur-affiliated civil society groups in Assam organized a massive rally, appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur in the wake of ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and the Kukis.
The All Assam Manipuri Youths' Association spearheaded the rally in Cachar, Assam, and submitted a letter to PM Modi, urging him to conduct the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Manipur. The association expressed concern about the alleged influx of large numbers of illegal immigrants from Myanmar who have reportedly settled in the hills of Manipur.
"We strongly urge a thorough investigation into the complex nature of the violence in Manipur and bring the culprits to justice in order to restore immediate peace," stated the Silchar-based association, established in 1964, in the letter to PM Modi.
The demonstrators also called for an end to the "suspension of operations" (SoO) agreements with insurgent groups that were purportedly involved in the Manipur violence.
Highlighting the environmental concerns, the association emphasized the need for government intervention to address large-scale illegal deforestation in Manipur. They argued that this ecological imbalance had resulted in landslides, floods, and water pollution, not only in Manipur but also in the plains of Assam, as numerous rivers and rivulets flow from the hills of Manipur to Assam.
Joining the protest were the Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Maha Sabha, the All Assam Manipuri Women Meira Paibi Coordination Committee, and the All Assam Manipuri Students' Organization.
Manipur Chief Minister Urges Normalcy Amid Reports of Clashes
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has called upon the people of Manipur to strive for normalcy amid sporadic clashes reported in various parts of the state. Addressing reporters in Imphal, he identified 38 vulnerable areas where central paramilitary forces will focus their efforts.
Recently, the residence of Manipur MP and Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh in Imphal was attacked by members of the Meitei community. The attack was a response to a peace meeting organized by the Union Minister in Delhi, which the protesters claimed lacked adequate representation from their community.
In anticipation of a large-scale combing operation by central forces, CM Biren Singh appealed to those who had seized firearms from police outposts to return the weapons.
Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Imphal on May 29 to review the situation. The visit comes after weeks of violence between the Meiteis, residing in and around the state capital Imphal valley, and the Kuki tribe, settled in the hills, regarding the Meiteis' demand for inclusion under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.
Internet services in Manipur have been disrupted for more than 22 days.
Allegations of Targeted Actions and Land Concerns
The Kukis have alleged that the BJP government in Manipur, led by CM N Biren Singh, has been systematically targeting them under the pretext of the war on drugs campaign to remove them from the forests and their hillside dwellings. However, data from the state's special anti-drugs unit, Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB), reveals that poppy cultivation in Manipur has expanded to 15,400 acres of land in the hills between 2017 and 2023.
Meanwhile, the Meiteis, who face restrictions in purchasing land in the hills, are apprehensive that their presence in the valley will diminish over time,