Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday arrived in Manipur’s Jiribam district via Silchar amid tight security.
Jiribam district borders Assam’s Cachar district and thousands of displaced persons are taking refuge in the neighbouring state after fresh tensions sparked in June.
The Congress leader Gandhi visited a relief camp set up at Jiribam Higher Secondary School and interacted with inmates. He marked his first visit to the northeast region after being elected as the Leader of the Opposition to the Lower House.
“LoP Shri @RahulGandhi visits Jiribam Higher Secondary School relief camps, meets victims of violence & offers support in their darkest hour. His third visit to Manipur post-violence shows his unwavering commitment to the people’s cause,” posted Congress on X.
The Congress MP was warmly welcomed by Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra, CWC member Gaikhangam and other part workers upon his arrival at Jiribam.
After his arrival at Imphal airport, Gandhi travelled to Lamka (Churachandpur) via Tiddim road. Upon his arrival at Lamka, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha was warmly welcomed by students lining up along the Tiddim road, cheering with ecstasy for the visiting Congress leader.
At Lamka, Rahul Gandhi visited Relief Camp at Savdhana Mandap in Tuibong. During his visit, Rahul interacted with inmates of the camp. Various Kuki Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) such as the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), Kuki Students’ Organization Churachandpur and Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights submitted a representation to the visiting Congress leader.
Through a letter, Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) chairman Pagin Haokip and general secretary Muan Tombing expressed their gratitude to Rahul Gandhi for his renewed efforts to put an end to the violence in Manipur and bring about peace in the region.
They conveyed deep appreciation for the Congress Party’s longstanding commitment to the welfare of all Indians, particularly marginalised tribal groups. They also praised the election of Alfred Kanngam Arthur as the MP from Outer Manipur, to represent our grievances during the “tragic and difficult period”.
They also apprised Gandhi of their concerns.
“We do not have a state government; the one that exists is hostile to us and only supports a certain community. We are facing numerous challenges from the state BJP government, which is utilizing both its official machinery and non-state players inside the Meitei community. Our existence as a political entity is at stake,” the ITLF wrote.
They pointed out that there has been no improvement in the security situation even after a year of killings and displacements, with citizens having to face danger of death on a daily basis.
“A year after the violence began; Kuki-Zo homes and properties are still being set on fire and destroyed. To date, almost 7,000 homes have been demolished, nearly 200 Kuki-Zo have lost their lives, over 360 places of worship were destroyed and about 20,000 have been homeless,” they claimed.
As a minority community with fewer numbers and even fewer resources to protect themselves, the ITLF said that the community is under constant threat of being attacked by militant groups like Arambai Tenggol and the proscribed UNLF, who allegedly have access to a large arsenal of weapons bought from across the border or looted from state armories.
“They have openly stated that their aim is to either kill all of us or drive us out of our lands,” ITLF said.
The Kuki-Zo body said that all commodities, including essentials, were prohibited from entering the Kuki-Zo areas for over a year. They cited how simple medical supplies like cotton swabs remain unavailable.
“This has negatively impacted the quality of life of the Kuki-Zo people. The condition of our internally displaced people is not up to par, with frequent lack of relief materials and amenities,” ITLF said.
Further, the ITLF highlighted that all development activities, including maintenance and repair of public infrastructure, have been halted in Kuki-Zo areas over the past year. They alleged disparity, claiming that Meitei-controlled valley areas receive preferential state patronage.
The ITLF also pointed out severe connectivity challenges faced by tribal communities, noting that they must travel over 350 kilometers to reach the nearest airport in Lengpui, Mizoram. This lack of connectivity adversely affects access to central competitive examinations and emergency medical care. They also highlighted the unreliability of helicopter services due to limited seating and frequent cancellations, stressing the urgent need for immediate solutions to address these connectivity issues.
“With the Kuki-Zo unable to travel to the state capital, the Meitei-controlled state government is using this opportunity to conduct mass job recruitments. As a result, many job opportunities have been lost for the Kuki-Zo, showing that the state government is openly partisan,” they wrote in their letter to Gandhi.
Students have also been adversely affected, especially those in technical lines, as all major centres of learning and all head offices are located in the capital.
The ITLF stressed the urgent need for an immediate political solution to break the cycle of violence and atrocities in Manipur. They emphasised that the Kuki-Zo minority faces an unsustainable situation, unable to lead dignified and secure lives “given the extent of bloodshed and the radicalization by the majority society”.
To achieve their socio-economic and political aspirations, the ITLF called for the fulfilment of the political settlement outlined in the Congress party’s manifesto, emphasising justice as its cornerstone. They expressed confidence in Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and urged swift action to alleviate their suffering and secure justice without delay.
Meanwhile, the KSO Churachandpur, through a representation extended heartiest congratulations to the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi on remarkable feat achieved in the recent concluded 18th Lok Sabha elections and becoming the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, a position which is vital for thriving democracy.
“We are also extremely happy to note you have genuine concerns for the people of Manipur, raising the Manipur issue in the Parliament and other forums and visiting the State twice despite your hectic schedules. We hope these concerns and visits by you pay rich dividends and bring lasting and durable peace to the region. Our best wishes are with you and a warm Chibai, Rahulji!,” KSO Wrote.
On his second visit here, the KSO Churachandpur raised some pressing issues pertaining to Kuki students’ community for his kind intervention.
“As you are aware, since day one of the ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kukis by N Biren Singh led Meitei radicals over the last more than one year, we have endured untold hardships and sufferings which one can but only imagine. The pogrom has a direct bearing on the future of many students, some on the verge of losing their careers. Contrary to the claims that normalcy is returning, many students are in peril and unable to continue their studies for certain obvious reasons”, the KSO said.
Pending a Political Solution to the ongoing conflict, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) placed the following grievances pertaining to the academic welfare of its members for prompt redressal:
- To enable our members who cannot afford to go outside to sit for various all-India competitive exams, exam centre at Lamka (Churachandpur) may be arranged on a priority basis. It is pertinent to mention here that the District Administration has already recommended for making Churachandpur as a UPSC exam centre. However, the State authority has not endorsed the recommendation to the concerned authority;
- Many students are incapacitated either to pursue higher studies or apply for competitive exams due to the loss of documents in the course of the violence. As such, a mechanism by way of setting up a common portal for recovery of lost or burnt documents be put in place in the best interests of the students’ community;
- Upgradation of National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) Churachandpur Extension Centre, under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to a full-fledged (Autonomous) Centre is the pressing need for thousands of Kuki students who are now barred from going to Imphal, the State Capital. This will address the need of the students to get training in IT and electronics at different levels.
- Thousands of displaced students are languishing in relief camps. In its bid to ensure the continuity of their studies, the KSO has started a few community schools exclusively for them from the current academic year. The Community Schools are run at Tuibong (Churachanpur), Sangaikot (Churachandpur) and Phaikoh (Ukhrul district) where underprivileged students are provided free education. However, paucity of resources is coming our way. Nevertheless, addressing this issue will certainly save the careers of many deprived students. Taking cognizance of the predicaments, we urge you to intervene to upgrade the KSO Community Schools into Residential Schools and provide adequate and updated infrastructures.
- We would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the fact that schools in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi Districts who were seeking affiliations with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) were denied by the Manipur State government. As communication with Imphal becoming a big issue in the wake of the violence, as many as 25 schools’ authorities have sought affiliations of their schools with CBSE last year. However, the State government authority intervened to disrupt the process which led to the cancellation of affiliation given by CBSE last December. This issue needs serious contemplation in the interest of the students.
- Lack of Medical Facilities is taking a heavy toll on the Kuki people. Providing state-of-the-art facilities including specialist and super-specialist doctors to the existing Churachandpur District Hospital would save many lives and improve the health and overall wellbeing of the people.
- It is also to highlight that Power Supply to the district is coming from Imphal Valley. At the drop of a hat, miscreants from Valley areas disrupt power supply to the district. This issue needs prompt redressal by way of arranging an alternative source of power supply to the district.
- Helicopter Service from Lamka (Ccp) to Aizawl, Lamka to Kangpokpi, Lamka to Moreh will ease difficulties in travel, particularly during monsoon when road connectivity gets cut due to calamities such as landslides etc. We urge you to ensure stable and reliable chopper service to the aforementioned destinations. Helicopter Service from Lamka-Aizawl (Mizoram) which was started last year has been stopped now for reasons best known to the authority concerned.”
The visiting Congress leader was accompanied by Alfred K. Arthur, MP, Outer Manipur, KC Venugopal, General Secretary AICC and Girish Chodankar, AICC Manipur State In-charge.
