Imphal: Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Rajkumar Ranjan Singh told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that in complete dismay and frustration, Kuki leaders including their 10 MLAs have demanded a separate political administration (equivalent to a separate state) for the tribals.
Singh said the demand was made under tremendous pressure from various quarters including the militants.
Singh, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency, in a letter to the Prime Minister, said that demanding a separate political administration (equivalent to a separate state) is a very dangerous proposition for a small state having 35 ethnic groups.
"Peaceful co-existence should be the norm, Naga-Kuki conflict or Meitei-Pangan (Muslim) clash and now Meitei-Kuki riot must be treated as aberrations. These should be curbed and controlled by a strong hand. No balkanization on ethnic lines should be encouraged at any cost," the Union Minister said.
He said that since May 3, for a few days, there was complete chaos and trust vanished in thin air between the two communities -- Meiteis and Kukis.
Noting that the Manipur situation must be dealt with a humane touch without any ethnic bias, Singh said: "Let us not allow anyone to do fishing in the troubled water. It is not about how many Kukis or Meiteis have died or how many Meitei houses or Kuki houses were torched. It is a very unfortunate humanitarian crisis caused by immature minds."
According to the minister, in the recent ethnic violence in Manipur so far, 71 people have been killed, 300 people got injured, including police personnel, some grievously.
Of 16 districts of the state, 11 districts were affected and out of which 6 were badly impacted.
Over 25,000 people were displaced, nearly 1,700 houses were burnt, and more than 200 vehicles had been destroyed.
The Union Minister in his letter, accessed by IANS, said that violent mobs burn and destroy everything on their way.
"It was largely due to action-reaction syndrome. It was impossible for the local police to control the rioters until the Army and Para Military forces arrived and intervened. In fact, it was a clash between the two communities triggered by a peaceful rally that turned suddenly violent."
Singh said that demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status by the Meitei community in a peaceful manner should not be a problem for others and again a peaceful protest by the tribal against this move should not be an issue, as these things are happening in other parts of the country.
"We are not to blame any community or ethnic group. We want to live in peace with all the ethnic groups or communities."
Saying that the state government has announced some relief and compensation for victims and sufferers, Singh demanded financial compensation from the Central government.
He said that the houses, vehicles and properties burnt may be compensated with the Centre's aid.
Demanding continuance of the deployment of Army and Paramilitary forces in Manipur until restoration of peace and complete normalcy, Singh said that the trust deficit is at its nadir.
"Peaceful co-existence is the only mantra for a tiny multi-ethnic society like ours. Bifurcation or trifurcation of the state on communal or ethnic lines should not be encouraged."
"All issues and demands can be sorted out in an amicable manner. A peaceful solution is possible only when we sit together and discuss... here, Centre's role as jury and arbiter will be appreciated," Singh pointed out.
—IANS

 Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Rajkumar Ranjan Singh told Prime Minister Narendra Modi 

Manipur Crisis: ‘Kuki Mlas Demanding Separate State Under Pressure’, Says Union Minister

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday visited Churachand-pur, the scene of some of the worst rioting in the recent ethnic conflict which broke out in Manipur earlier this month, to hold talks with Kuki civil society leaders.
Among others, Shah who flew down in a helicopter accompanied by the Intelligence Bureau chief and home secretary, is meeting church leaders as well as intellectuals from the Kuki community to understand their grievances and find ways to bring peace to the northeastern state which has witnessed a series of clashes between Meiteis and Kukis. Earlier in the day, the government announced it will give a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to those who died during the ethnic conflict in Manipur. A member of the family of those who died in the rioting will also be provided a job.&nbsp;
The compensation amount will be borne equally by the centre and the state, officials said.
The decision was taken at a meeting between the Union Home Minister and chief minister N Biren Singh, on Monday late night. Manipur has been hit by ethnic conflict for nearly a month and witnessed a sudden spurt in clashes and firing between militants and security forces on Sunday, after a relative lull for over a fortnight.
The death toll from clashes has gone up to 80, officials said.
The meeting also decided to ensure that essential items such as petrol, LPG gas, rice and other food products will be made available in large quantities to cool down prices. The home minister who flew in to Imphal Monday night is accompanied by the Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Kumar Deka.
Shah also held consultations on Tuesday with stake-holders starting with a breakfast meeting with a group of women leaders, as part of his initiative to bring peace to the violence-hit state.
"Held a meeting with a group of women leaders (Meira Paibi) in Manipur. Reiterated the significance of the role of women in the society of Manipur. Together, we are committed to ensuring peace and prosperity in the state," Shah tweeted.
In a separate tweet, Shah said "Had a fruitful discussion with the members of the different civil society organisations today (Tuesday) in Imphal. They expressed their commitment to peace and assured that we would together contribute to paving the way to restore normalcy in Manipur."
According to a home ministry spokesperson, Shah also held a meeting with the delegation of different civil society organisations in Imphal this morning.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday said on the sidelines of a function in Pune, that challenges in Manipur have not disappeared, but expressed hope that things will settle down in some time while noting the situation in the north-eastern state now is not related to insurgency.
"We are helping the state government with the problem," the CDS said.
"I would like to say that the armed forces and Assam Rifles have done an excellent job there and may have saved a large number of lives. Though the challenges in Manipur have not disappeared, it will take some time. Hopefully this will settle and the government there will be able to do the job with the help of CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) etc," he said.
Ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Since then there have been waves of un rest including a latest round of clashes which saw at least 5 dead on Sunday.
The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. Around 10,000 personnel of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, besides those from other paramilitary forces, had to be deployed to bring back normalcy in the northeastern state.
—PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday visited Churachand-pur, the scene of some of the worst rioting in the recent ethnic 

Amit Shah Visits Scene Of Worst Rioting In Manipur

New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declined to hold an emergency hearing on a petition requesting Army protection for the Kuki tribal group in the midst of ethnic violence in the Indian state of Manipur.
Justices Surya Kant and M.M. Sundresh, sitting as a vacation bench, have ruled that this is entirely a matter of law and order.
On behalf of the non-governmental organisation Manipur Tribal Forum, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves brought up the issue.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued against the request for a speedy hearing by saying that security forces are already on the scene.
On July 3, the Supreme Court scheduled a hearing on the case.
The Kuki tribals in the northeastern state of Manipur have been the target of accusations from the Manipur Tribal Forum that the central government and the chief minister of Manipur are engaged in a "ethnic cleansing" campaign.
The NGO asked the Supreme Court to protect the Kuki tribals from the Army and warned the court against believing the "empty assurances" offered by the Centre.
Since the violence between the Meitei and Kuki groups in Manipur broke out over a month ago, more than a hundred people have been killed.
On May 3, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was arranged in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) classification, riots broke out in Manipur.
Meiteis make up around 53% of Manipur's population and are concentrated in the region around Imphal. Forty percent of the people that call the hill districts home are tribal people like the Nagas and Kukis.—Inputs from Agencies

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declined to hold an emergency hearing on a petition requesting Army protection for the Kuki tribal group in the midst of ethnic violence in the Indian state of Manipur.

Manipur violence: SC denies urgent hearing on Army protection for Kuki tribals

Imphal: The Army and Assam Rifles troopers rescued five youth belonging to the Meitei community after they were abducted by Kuki militants two days ago, official sources said.
An official in Imphal said on Sunday that the Army and the Assam Rifles soldiers rescued the five youth from Gwaltabi village under the Yaingangpokpi police station in Imphal East district.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Kuki militants reportedly abducted the youth on Saturday evening when they were travelling in an autorickshaw.
However, the Kuki militants claimed that as part of the greater interest of peace and communal harmony they released five youth.
— IANS

 The Army and Assam Rifles troopers rescued five youth belonging to the Meitei community

Army rescues 5 youth kidnapped by militant outfit in Manipur

Imphal: The one-day session of the Manipur Assembly, held on Tuesday for the first time since violence broke out in the state on May 3, lasted just 11 minutes before the Speaker adjourned the session amid protests on the floor of the House.  At the beginning of the session, soon after Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata took his seat, Congress Legislature Party leader and former CM Okram Ibobi Singh protested the nature of the session. “Is it (the session) emergency or short notice? We are confused. There is no rule of law in the land,” he said.
“This is a mockery. Let us save democracy, let us save the Constitution,” Ibobi Singh shouted, and all the five Congress MLAs joined him in the protest, shouting slogans and holding placards.
In the midst of the protests, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh moved an obituary reference and proposed a two-minute silence for those killed in the violence.
Biren Singh also said that discussions regarding matters that were pending in court were not required to be held in the House.  As the protests continued, the Speaker announced a 30-minute break, and after that, he adjourned the session sine die.
Ten MLAs from the Kuki community, including two cabinet ministers, did not attend the session. All the Meitei MLAs and the 10 Naga MLAs were present.
—PTI

The one-day session of the Manipur Assembly, held on Tuesday for the first time since violence broke out in the state on May 3, lasted just 11 minutes before the Speaker adjourned the session amid protests on the floor of the House.

Manipur Assembly adjourned sine die after just 11 minutes amid ruckus

The one-day session of the Manipur Assembly, held on Tuesday for the first time since violence broke out in the state on May 3, lasted just 11 minutes before the Speaker adjourned the session amid protests on the floor of the House.


Imphal: At least five persons, including a tribal song composer and a Village Defence Volunteer, were killed and 20 others injured in Manipur's Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts during the past three days while gunfights between Kukis and Meiteis were still on till Thursday night, officials said.
Sources said that the death toll in the incessant firing exchanges was six to seven in three days but officials were yet to confirm it.&nbsp;
The five slain people included L.S Mangboi Lhungdim, 50, who composed the song "I Gam Hilou Ham (Is this not our land?)" after the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3. His songs became a rallying cry for tribal unity.
The dead also included VDV Jangminlun Gangte.
Firing was continuing in the foothills of Bishnupur and adjoining areas in Churachandpur district till late Thursday evening, after a fresh gunfight between two rival ethnic groups started early morning, police officials said in Imphal.
Two persons, who sustained splinter injuries during firing in Manipur’s Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, succumbed to their wounds on Thursday.
Police said that a youth, who sustained splinter injuries on his head from a bomb blast on Wednesday, died while he was being shifted to Guwahati hospital for medical treatment via Mizoram.
Another injured person of Wednesday's firing died on Thursday in Churachandpur district hospital, where he was undergoing treatment, a police official said.
Defence sources said that in a prompt and effective response, the Army's quick action team foiled an attempted arson incident near Leimakhong on Thursday evening.
An army column near Chingmang village noticed flames and smoke emerging from a vacant house. Without delay, the personnel sprang into action, establishing a secure perimeter around the area.
Within a few minutes of the incident, three Army water bowsers reached the location, and the fire was controlled and extinguished.
Meanwhile, combing operations are also being conducted, simultaneously, to apprehend those involved in the attempted arson.
The swift action by the Army prevented the house from being gutted and the flames spreading to neighbouring houses, a defence spokesman said.
A Manipur Police statement said that it is being circulated in various social media that Lonphai, Khousabung, Kangvai and Sugnu areas are under attack, and clarified that there has been no such incidents at Kangvai and Sugnu.
However, exchange of fire did occur at Lonphai, and Khousabung. Security forces deployed in the area responded and subsequently, the firing subsided.
The situation is tense but under control, it said.
A separate police statement said that during the search operations, 20 bombs, three looted arms, 20 different types of ammunition, and 30 grams of gunpowder were recovered from Churachandpur.
—IANS

At least five persons, including a tribal song composer and a Village Defence Volunteer, 

5 killed, 20 Injured In Manipur In Last Three Days, Non-Stop Firing Still On

Imphal: Normal life in Manipur's tribal-dominated districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi continued to remain paralysed for the second day on Tuesday as the women's wing of Indigenous Tribals’ Leaders Forum (ITLF) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) enforced the indefinite shutdown in their respective districts to protest the arrest of Kuki-Zo tribals by the CBI.  However, the two-day shutdown called by the ITLF, which began on Monday morning in Churachandpur district to protest against the arrest of four Kuki-Zo people by the CBI in connection with the killing of two young students, ended on Tuesday evening.  The women's wing of ITLF and COTU have been protesting against what they termed as “arbitrary arrest of four persons and detention of two minors by the CBI over the alleged abduction and murder of two teenaged students” from Imphal and another individual on charges of transnational conspiracy case.  Members of the ITLF women's wing ensured all streets in Churachandpur wore a deserted look as shutters of all shops and other establishments were down.  Market places witnessed no activities and government offices saw no attendance while banks and educational institutions remained closed, the police said.  Rebecca, an ITLF women's wing activist who was leading the enforcement of the shutdown, justified the shutdown and alleged discrimination between communities.  While several cases of rape and killing of Kuki-Zo people are not looked into, including the sexual assault on the two Kuki ladies and the burning alive of a mother and son in an ambulance, the case of the alleged murder of the two Meitei students were swiftly investigated by the CBI who even ‘arrested’ six persons including two minors, she said.  Both the agitating organisations appealed to the central agencies to release the detainees without conditions.  She further urged the CBI not to act in haste under political pressure, but to act professionally and arrest those who are responsible for all the crimes committed during the ethnic conflict without looking at communities or religion.  She added that the agitators will keep demanding justice in all the cases of crime against the Kuki-Zo people.  —IANS

 Normal life in Manipur's tribal-dominated districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi continued to remain paralysed

Life paralysed in two Manipur districts as tribal bodies call indefinite shutdown against arrests of Kuki-Zo people

Imphal: In a fresh incident of violence in Manipur, two people were killed by unidentified armed group in Kangpokpi district on Monday, police said.  Police said that the incident occurred at Kangchup area in tribal-dominated Kangpokpi district.  Following the killing, the Committee on Tribal Unity, Sadar Hills Kangpokpi imposed an emergency shut down in the whole of Kangpokpi district for 48 hours and announced closure of all commercial establishments and markets and restricted the movement of vehicles for 48 hours.  The two bodies were brought to Motbung PHC where a post mortem was conducted before a condolence ceremony was held at Motbung Community Hall as hundreds of Kuki-Zo people across Kangpokpi gathered at Gamgiphai to receive the remains of the duo with a gun salute from the Kuki-Zo volunteers.  Speaking to the media, CoTU's Information and Publicity Secretary, Thangtinlen Haokip said that the attack on the tribals on Monday by the militants once again clearly indicated their aggression in the Kuki-Zo-dominated territory.  The CoTU demanded immediate intervention of the Central Government in the killing of the two tribals, and Haokip urged the Centre to hand the case of the gruesome killing of Thangminlun Hangshing and Henminlen Vaiphei to the Central Bureau of Investigation to ensure justice to the victims.  CoTU also urged the Centre to instruct the authorities concerned to take proactive steps to nab those involved in the brutal attack and killing while directing the authorities concerned to ensure no such attack and killing occur in the Kuki-Zo-dominated areas.  The CoTU's indefinite economic blockade is also underway along the highways since November 16. More than 180 people were killed and hundreds of people injured since the violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
—IANS

In a fresh incident of violence in Manipur, two people were killed by unidentified armed group in Kangpokpi district on Monday, police said.

Two killed in Manipur by armed cadres, tribal body declares 48-hr shut down in Kangpokpi district

Imphal: The last rites of the 23 Kuki-Zo tribals, killed in Manipur’s ethnic violence more than seven months ago, were performed on Friday with thousands of men and women, including their kin, attended the mass burial ceremony in Kangpokpi district.  The 23 deceased, including seven-year-old boy, Tonsing Hangshing and his mother, were finally laid to rest at Martyrs’ Cemetery at Phaijang village, about 20 km from Kangpokpi district headquarters.  Under the theme “You sacrifice your today for our tomorrow”, the mass burial programme was organised by Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, an apex Kuki civil society organisation in Kangpokpi.  On Thursday, a total of 60 bodies of people belonging to the Kuki-Zo community were flown from Imphal to Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts by Indian Air Force helicopters.  Similarly, the bodies of four victims belonging to the Meitei community and lying at Churachandpur district hospital morgue since the ethnic conflict erupted on May 3 were also airlifted to Imphal valley for their last rites.  The last rites of remaining bodies would be done in a day or two, a spokesman of the CoTU said.  The airlifting exercises of the bodies which were lying in morgues in Imphal and Churachandpur took place only after the Supreme Court issued a directive last month to the state government for dignified disposal of unclaimed bodies.  According to the officials, of the 64 bodies, 60 bodies were lying in morgues of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) and the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) after the victims killed in the ethnic riot in the first week of May.  The CoTU called a 12-hours total shutdown within Sadar Hills of Kangpokpi on Friday for conducting the funeral services and appealed to the people to cooperate with them.  The Supreme Court had formed a committee in August of three former high court judges -- Gita Mittal, Shalini Joshi, and Asha Menon -- to look into the investigation, relief, remedial measures, compensation and rehabilitation in violence-devastated Manipur.  Considering the committee's report, the apex court issued directives for the burial or cremation of those killed in the ethnic violence in Manipur, including the 88 people who were identified but their bodies not claimed by their family members.  The last rites of burial or cremation were to take place in nine sites identified by the Manipur government or the state could go ahead and do the same in accordance with municipal laws.  The ethnic violence broke out in Manipur more than seven months ago after a "Tribal Solidarity March" was organised in the hill districts of the state to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The ethnic riot between non-tribal Meitei and tribal Kuki communities has so far claimed 182 lives, injured several hundred and displaced more than 70,000 people of both communities.
—IANS

The last rites of the 23 Kuki-Zo tribals, killed in Manipur’s ethnic violence more than seven months ago

23 killed in Manipur ethnic conflict laid to rest in Kangpokpi district

New Delhi: A day after a mass burial in ethnic violence-hit Manipur, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday slammed the government, alleging that Parliament, borders, roads or society, nothing was safe under BJP rule.
The bodies of 87 Kuki Zo victims of the violence were laid to rest at the Churachandpur district headquarters in Manipur on Wednesday, officials said.  Forty-one of the bodies were airlifted from different mortuaries in Imphal on December 14 while 46 were from the Churachandpur district hospital, they said.  In a post in Hindi on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, "Just imagine that the people killed in the Manipur violence were cremated only after eight months. When questions were asked in the Parliament regarding Manipur, the government instead of taking responsibility gave incoherent answers." "Now even Parliament in which the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) himself sits is no longer safe, but about 150 MPs were suspended after asking questions," the Congress general secretary said.
<a href="https://twitter.com/priyankagandhi/status/1737768551136858502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1737768551136858502%7Ctwgr%5E8f27edf9498ce6b2b04ebaf2977be7adfb1753b0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Findia%2Fparliament-borders-society-nothing-safe-under-bjp-rule-priyanka-gandhi-vadra-2820753" target="_self">https://twitter.com/priyankagandhi/status/1737768551136858502?</a>
Parliament, borders, roads, society, nothing is safe under BJP rule, Priyanka Gandhi alleged.  A condolence service was organised at Tuibuong followed by the mass burial amid restrictions imposed under section 144 of the CrPC after a violent clash on Monday night over the burial left around 30 injured.
On December 15, 19 violence victims were laid to rest in Kangpokpi district.  Ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts of the state to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.  Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal valley. Tribals, Nagas and Kukis, constitute little more than 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts.
—PTI

A day after a mass burial in ethnic violence-hit Manipur, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday slammed the government

Parliament, borders, society, nothing safe under BJP rule: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

Imphal: In a tense encounter, security forces engaged in a fierce gun battle with suspected Kuki militants in the border town of Moreh, located in Manipur's Tengnoupal district, on Wednesday morning, according to police sources.  Reports suggest that the militants targeted a security forces post near SBI Moreh, employing explosive devices and firearms. Swiftly responding to the attack, security forces retaliated, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.  While unconfirmed details indicate that one security personnel sustained minor injuries during the confrontation, the situation remains fluid.  This incident occurred just 48 hours after state forces apprehended two suspects linked to the killing of a police officer in the same border town.  Anticipating potential unrest, the Manipur government had earlier imposed a total curfew effective from 12 am on January 16, citing concerns about the breach of peace, disturbance of public tranquility, and grave danger to human lives and property within Tengnoupal's jurisdiction. The curfew exempts government agencies involved in law enforcement and essential services.  Meanwhile, in a separate incident on Tuesday night, village volunteers reportedly engaged in a prolonged exchange of gunfire with suspected Kuki militants in Koutruk village, Imphal West district. Central security forces intervened, prompting the attackers to cease fire.  In a related development, police successfully arrested Phillip Khongsai and Hemokholal Mate, the primary suspects in the killing of SDPO Ch Anand in October the previous year. The two suspects had allegedly opened fire on security personnel vehicles, leading to a chase and their subsequent apprehension.  Produced before the Judicial Magistrate Moreh, Khongsai and Mate have been remanded to nine days of police custody. Seized from their possession were one pistol with two live rounds, one Chinese hand grenade, ten live rounds of AK ammunition, and ten detonators.  The arrests sparked protests by a significant number of women in front of the Moreh police station, demanding the unconditional release of the two detainees.  In response to the arrests, Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal (KIT), Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) based in Churachandpur district, and the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) based in Kangpokpi district jointly condemned the apprehension of Khongsai and Mate. They vehemently refuted any alleged connection between the suspects and the killing of the police officer.
—Input from Agencies

Tense standoff in Manipur's Moreh as security forces engage Kuki militants. Recent arrests fuel unrest, prompting protests.

Gun Battle Erupts Between Security Forces and Militants in Manipur's Moreh Town

Churanchandpur: Ten tribal MLAs of Manipur have condemned the “biased” resolution passed by the state assembly urging the Centre to abrogate the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with all the Kuki-Zo underground groups.
The SoO pact was signed by the Centre, the Manipur government and two conglomerates of Kuki militant outfits – Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF). The pact was signed in 2008 and extended periodically thereafter.  In a statement, the 10 legislators belonging to the Kuki Zomi Hmar communities MLAs said, “It is a one-sided resolution emanating from prejudice, bias and hatred for our community that reflects a myopic view on the issue.”  Of the MLAs, seven belong to the ruling BJP, two are from the Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) and one is an Independent. They were not present in the assembly when the resolution was passed.  The statement said that as part of the SoO pact, a Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) comprising representatives of central and state government agencies, the KNO and UPF was formed to oversee adherence to the Ground Rules.
“We would like to question whether the resolution adopted by the august House was based on any report or observations of the JMG, which is the only official mechanism to determine whether any violation of the Ground Rules has taken place or not,” the statement read.  The agreement was lauded as the harbinger of peace in the state when it was signed in 2008 and Manipur, particularly the hill districts, has witnessed a sea change in the security scenario as the level of violence came down drastically in the years that followed, it said.  “The recent signing of a peace accord with a UNLF faction was initiated by the state government, and the role played by this outfit during this short period in the current violence is widely known to one and all,” the statement said.  The UNLF (P) on November 29 last year became the first Meitei armed group in the Imphal Valley to enter into a ceasefire agreement with the government and agreed to renounce violence. However, allegations have been raised that its cadres were involved in violence after signing of the pact.  At least 219 people have been killed in ethnic strife in the state since May last year. The violence erupted on May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.  Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mainly in the hill districts.
—PTI

Ten tribal MLAs in Manipur condemn the biased resolution urging the Centre to abrogate the SoO agreement with Kuki-Zo underground groups.

Manipur tribal MLAs slam 'biased' resolution seeking abrogation of pact signed with Kuki militants

Nagpur: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has alleged that ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, attempts 'to spread anarchy under the pretext of farmers' agitation have been restarted', and said 'separatist terrorism' has raised its 'ugly head' through it in Punjab.
It also said the 'atrocities committed against hundreds of mothers and sisters' at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal has shaken the conscience of the entire society.  The Sangh also raised concerns over the ethnic conflict in Manipur, saying it created 'mistrust' between the two sections of the society- Meitei and Kuki that caused 'deep wounds'.  The RSS, the ideological fountainhead of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), made these remarks in its annual report 2023-24 presented by its general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale at the Sangh’s annual 'Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha' conclave that started in Nagpur on Friday.  The report's concluding part titled 'National Scene' talked about various incidents and developments in the country.  It said, the year 2024 will be remembered forever as the 'golden year of pranpratishtha (consecration) of Shri Ram Lalla in the newly-constructed magnificent temple at Ayodhya' in Uttar Pradesh.
"The historic event held on January 22, 2024 has been the realisation of dreams and resolve of millions and millions of Hindus the world over for many centuries. Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram is the civilisational icon of all noble and pious qualities and Sri Ram Mandir is the symbol of national identity," it said.  On the farmers' agitation, the RSS said, "The separatist terrorism in Punjab has raised its ugly head again. Under the pretext of farmers' agitation, especially in Punjab, attempts have been restarted to spread anarchy, just two months before the Lok Sabha elections."  On February 13, thousands of farmers began marching towards the national capital to push for their demands, notably the Minimum Support Price (MSP).  The three Delhi borders -- Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur -- have been witnessing a heavy deployment of paramilitary personnel to stop the ongoing protest of the farmers demanding to march to Delhi. Hundreds of farmers are still sitting at Punjab-Haryana borders for the past one month.  The Dilli Chalo march, also known as the Farmers’ Protest 2.0, is the second round of continuous protests and road blockades initiated by farmers in the northern states of Punjab and Haryana.  In the report, the RSS further talked about the Sandeshkhali incident.
"The incident of atrocities on hundreds of mothers and sisters, especially of the Scheduled Caste and tribal communities, in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal, has shaken the conscience of the entire society. It cannot be imagined that such incidents have been going on for years in any part of independent Bharat," it said.  "But what is even more abominable is that instead of giving the harshest punishment to the guilty persons, the government there (West Bengal) made efforts to save them. All parties should, rising above their political interests, unanimously take such drastic action on the issue of women's safety and honour that no one can even think of committing such a crime in the future," he said.  Sandeshkhali, a village in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, has been at the centre of a political storm for nearly a month and has witnessed unprecedented protests over allegations of sexual abuse by scores of women against local TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh.  On the Manipur violence, the RSS said the conflict created mistrust between the two sections of the society- Meitei and Kuki - causing deep wounds.  "It is unfortunate that the border state is undergoing a deep, inexplicable pain, and the psychological division of society is dangerous," it said.  The Sangh karyakartas (volunteers), on the basis of their communication with relevant people, have tried to save the situation, strengthen the society by morale-boosting and create an atmosphere of mutual cooperation and coexistence in Manipur, it added.  While on one hand there is perceptible awareness and enthusiasm for useful action in the Hindu society, a few problems are also challenging the nation, the RSS said.  "The disruptive and divisive forces are never happy with any positive development. Their agenda is to create disturbances and reap political and other benefits. The incidents at Nuh in Mewat area (of Haryana) where a section of Muslim community violently attacked a VHP yatra that triggered violence. The social tension prevailed for months and the issue is not settled," it said.  The forces that are inimical to anything, that is Bharat, Hindutva or Sangh, are ever active in search of newer plans and designs to disrupt or denigrate these three, it added.  "The frequent rising of the bogie, such as Sanatan Dharma, is the cause for all ills of our nation, or the separatist issue of cutting South, or the play of politics in the sensitive matter of caste census - all these are aimed at disunity of the nation through distorted narratives," it said.  The RSS also talked about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, and said the importance of elections in a democracy cannot be overstated.  "Swayamsevaks not only have to perform the sacred duty of exercising their franchise, but also should ensure 100 percent polling," it said.
—PTI

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