The Kuki Inpi Manipur( KIM) has asked the Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey, to come out with clear evidence about the presence of ‘external forces’ which according to her reported remarks were the factors responsible for the violence in Manipur.
KIM stated that the statement of Uikey was ambiguous in that she didn’t clearly mention the ‘forces from Myanmar’ who are involved in the present violence.
“Contrary to the expectation from the Governor of Manipur to submit a report to the Centre on the state of law and order and the breakdown of constitutional machinery in Manipur on the basis of her impartial judgement after more than 60 days of the State-sponsored ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kukis, the Governor of Manipur chooses to make perplexing statement thereby sending the people into confusion,” KIM said in a press release issued on Friday.
KIM claimed that the Governor was perhaps referring to the secessionist Valley Based Meitei insurgents who crossed the Indian border from Myanmar and got caught by security forces along with arms and ammunition and whose direct and active involvement in creating havoc to Kuki civilians is being proven beyond doubt. It stated that the arrest of 12 KYKL cadres with arms and ammunitions for instance was a strong evidence to the presence of Meitei Terrorist groups in Manipur.
Correspondingly, instead of making such confusing statement, the governor should have recommended for Central’s Rule due to breakdown of law and order and other Constitutional machinery in Manipur since May 3 in the interest of people of both communities and for the sake of peace, it added
KIM stated that a damning statement that people from Myanmar are coming and creating disturbances in Manipur was very regrettable. “It is not only adding salt to the wounds, but compelling us to call into question her judgement and moral sense in the issue. Because, the fact that no people from Myanmar came to create disturbances here is a truism but only a perceived analogy or manufactured narratives of extremist Meiteis in order to mobilise anti-Kuki sentiments and conceal the reality of the well-planned pogrom against the Kukis,” KIM stated.
The apex body of Kukis also claimed that the Governor has exposed her naivety and total lack of understanding of the stark reality about the deprivation and subjugation of the Kukis and other tribals in Manipur. It is quite doubtful that the Governor utters such comments objectively without any pressure or influences.
KIM alleged that the Governor might be motivated by personal leanings which showed her vulnerability to easily succumb to pressures or dictates from the top and added that she should not overlook the fact that all sorts of systematic oppression, suppression, deprivation, subordination and exploitation of Kukis and other tribals by the Meiteis since ages motivated by their (Meiteis’) ethno-centric aspiration for a lebensraum are at the root of the violence besieging the State of Manipur now.
The Governor of Manipur has a discretionary power and a special responsibility to secure the proper functioning of the Hill Areas Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly under Article 371 (C). Had the Governor dug deeper, what has hindered her or her predecessors from fulfilling this Constitutional obligation to the tribals of Manipur, she should come to the conclusion that the Kukis and other tribal groups are deprived and subjugated lots.
Furthermore, it is doubtful as to why the Governor does not recommend President’s Rule in the state even after 7 Kuki MLAs and 8 Meitei MLAs, out of 32 BJP MLAs in the state, have clearly stated that they have no confidence under the administration of N.Biren Singh, besides numerous conclusions of law and order problem by several other observers. Her doubt or disinclination to recommend for President’s Rule in Manipur after the situation has arisen in which the Manipur state government cannot carry on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution will certainly disappear, forget about making unfounded and partial statement, KIM stated.
KIM also stated that the constant attempt to dispossess the Kukis and other tribals of their land and rights and their fierce grudge against the tribals is known by all and sundry. Any struggle to assert our rights over land and others including Constitutional rights cannot be construed as influenced by ‘outsiders.’ India is a country of vast multiplicity of religions, cultures and ethnicities that are indigenous to this land.
However, KIM added, some radical elements pose as antithesis or inimical of the values cherished by the Constitution of India. Ms Uikey should exercise her wisdom not to be one among the votaries of people who defiled the sanctum sanctorum of the Constitution and the Constitutional posts. Instead of applying a clear conscience, the Governor has succumbed to pressures.
“The governor is totally misled by elements who scurry to cover up their nefarious deeds in igniting and fanning the present communal flames and she has forgotten the inhumane treatment meted to Kukis by the State-backed majoritarian Meiteis,” KIM alleged.
Over 100 Kukis lost their lives and many houses and Churches were burned down and several thousands were rendered homeless. Even one BJP MLA from the Kuki community is battling for his life after being attacked by Meitei mob. Manipur valley is cleared off Kuki population.
Meanwhile, the Public Relation Officer of the Governor of Manipur has issued a press release and clarified that a statement of Governor during her visit to relief camp at Naorem Bihari College, Khundrakpam Makha Leikai, Imphal east on July 13, was based on intelligence inputs indicating presence of certain inimical elements who could have infiltrated from across the border to fuel the current unrest in Manipur.
“The statement by governor during her visit to relief camp at Naorem Birahari College, Khundrakapam Makha Leikei, Imphal East on 13 July 2023, related to presence of some inimical elements from across the border in the State of Manipur, is being quoted out of context,” Governor PRO stated.
The governor gives firm assurance to the people of Manipur that security forces are seized of this challenge and are undertaking joint operations on regular basis to eliminate any such threat, it added.
