Editor
Washington, D.C.: The North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA) staged a protest near the White House, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, to denounce the ongoing violence in the Northeast Indian state. The organization's leaders took turns addressing the crowd, expressing their concerns over the escalating violence that has claimed over 100 lives since May 3, when the unrest initially broke out.
The demonstration witnessed a significant turnout, with both United States citizens and immigrants from various Indian states joining the cause. NAMTA leaders emphasized the deep historical and cultural ties among the people of the region, highlighting the recent surge in hate and violence that has resulted in the forced displacement of the Kuki community from the valley and the migration of Mateys from the hills. Consequently, there has already been a geographical separation among the communities.
During the protest, the leaders passionately appealed to Prime Minister Modi, urging him to bring peace and justice to the Kuki and Zombie tribes by granting them separate administrative entities. NAMTA also sent two letters—one to Prime Minister Modi and another to U.S. President Joe Biden—outlining their demands and concerns.
In their letter to Prime Minister Modi, the tribal body called for the declaration of President's rule in Manipur, the formation of a justice committee to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the violence, and the establishment of a separate administration for the Kuki and Zomi tribes in Manipur.
In the letter to President Biden, NAMTA appealed to the United States to engage with Prime Minister Modi during his visit and advocate for the recognition of human rights violations in the state. They urged President Biden, as a leader of the Democratic Party, to acknowledge the grave situation and emphasize the importance of protecting human rights.
The protest shed light on the concerns and grievances of the Manipur tribal community in North America, demanding immediate attention and action from both the Indian and U.S. governments. NAMTA's efforts aim to raise awareness and garner support to address the violence and injustice inflicted upon the Kuki and Zomi tribes in Manipur.