Kuki Inpi Urges PM Modi for Immediate Intervention in Manipur Conflict, Demands Separate Administration

In a passionate appeal to the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Kuki Inpi, representing the Kuki people of Manipur, has called for immediate intervention to expedite a political solution to the ongoing crisis in the region. The letter, sent to the Prime Minister’s office, requests the establishment of a Separate Administration for the Kuki community, highlighting the grave existential threat they believe they are facing in the current conflict.

The Kuki people, who have endured over 18 months of violence and displacement in Manipur, express frustration over the lack of meaningful intervention from the Government of India. They allege that the violence against their community has been exacerbated by ethnic cleansing efforts orchestrated by local political figures, particularly Chief Minister Biren Singh, and accuse the Indian government of favoring the Meitei community in the ongoing conflict.

The letter strongly rebuffs accusations of the Kuki community being illegal immigrants, a narrative that has been pushed by the state government. The Kuki Inpi argues that this framing unfairly trivializes the historical and cultural ties the Kukis have with the land, pointing to centuries of peaceful coexistence with other communities in the region. They also highlight the Kuki people’s contributions to India’s independence struggle, including their resistance during the Kuki Uprising (1917-1919) and their involvement in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army.

Despite these contributions, the Kuki Inpi claims that successive Indian governments have failed to address their grievances, including the denial of constitutional rights under provisions like the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. They accuse the state government of manipulating state machinery and militias to carry out ethnic violence, and express doubts about the feasibility of coexisting peacefully with the Meitei community under the current circumstances.

Furthermore, the Kuki leaders challenge the Indian government's stance on the conflict, particularly the narrative surrounding illegal immigration from Myanmar, which they argue has been used to justify the violence against their community. They express disillusionment with statements from Indian leaders, including the Home Minister, who have blamed illegal immigration as a key factor in the unrest.

The letter culminates in a plea for the Kuki people to be granted a Separate Administration, citing their loyalty to India and strategic importance in the region. The Kuki Inpi stresses that their geographical location along India’s eastern frontier makes them a critical asset to India's national security, particularly in relation to Myanmar, and that granting them a separate administrative entity would benefit both the Kuki people and the country.

In their closing remarks, the Kuki Inpi urges the Prime Minister to act swiftly, emphasizing that their community's loyalty should not be taken for granted. They believe that history will remember Prime Minister Modi for taking the necessary steps to resolve the long-standing crisis in Manipur and providing a fair and just solution to the Kuki people.

The appeal has drawn attention to the continuing humanitarian crisis in Manipur, where violence has resulted in the deaths of at least 222 people, the destruction of hundreds of villages, and the displacement of tens of thousands.