Editor
IMPHAL, MANIPUR: Oppositions in Manipur have jointly submitted a memorandum to the Governor, urging the convening of a special session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly to address the current communal crisis. The parties highlight the escalating violence and growing mistrust between two significant communities in the state—the Meiteis and Kukis. While ten Kuki MLAs have called for a "Separate Administration," various sections of society emphasize the need to preserve Manipur's unity and integrity.
The memorandum emphasizes that Manipur has never witnessed such a severe and widespread ethnic violence before. It cites the urgent appeals from civil society organizations, political parties, and concerned citizens to hold a special session. The proposed session aims to facilitate discussions on the origins of the crisis, the course of violence, the roles played by different actors in fueling tensions for over a month, and measures for confidence-building and restoring peace and normalcy.
The relief and rehabilitation of displaced persons and their safe return to their original homes are also highlighted as crucial priorities in the memorandum.
The ten political parties behind this collective effort are the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, Janata Dal (United), Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), All India Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, All India Forward Bloc, Nationalist Congress Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Revolutionary Socialist Party, Manipur.
The memorandum has been submitted not only to the Governor but also to Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Speaking on behalf of the Janata Dal (United), spokesperson Nimai Chand Luwang stated that representatives of the ten political parties have traveled to Delhi to seek an appointment with Prime Minister Modi, hoping for a positive response regarding the ongoing communal clashes. Luwang addressed concerns about the silence of 50 MLAs in raising their demands, while ten Kuki MLAs have already voiced their demand for a "separate administration" within Manipur. He questioned the lack of action taken against the seven BJP MLAs among the ten Kuki MLAs and alleged the BJP's responsibility for the current crisis.
Luwang emphasized the necessity of a special session to discuss and resolve the present crisis through a political solution. He urged the Chief Minister to request the Governor to convene the session, as the Chief Minister's inaction prompted the submission of the memorandum by the ten political parties.
The central government has issued an order to establish a Peace Committee in Manipur, with the Governor as the chairperson, aiming to restore peace, social and communal harmony, and a sense of security among various ethnic groups and the general public.