Members of Manipuri civil society and students’ organisations on Sunday held a ‘peace rally’ at Jantar Mantar and demanded that the Government check the influx of “illegal migrants” into the State from Myanmar.
Organised under the banner of the Manipur Coordination Committee, a group of civil society organisations and students’ groups, the protest was attended by around a thousand people. Amid chants of “Save Manipur” and “Kuki Terrorists Go Back”, victims of the recent violence in the state narrated their ordeal even as prominent members of the community shed light on the reasons behind the ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur.
Chan Meitei, a member of the committee, said the rally was held for peace in Manipur and to lodge a protest against the “divisive forces and external aggression” faced by people in the state.
The participants demanded that the government stop “illegal migrants” from Myanmar entering Manipur.
“The illegal migrants from Myanmar are responsible for the unrest and violence faced by Manipur.
“They indulge in poppy cultivation that has also added to deforestation on the hills,” said Joy, a medical student from Thoibal in Manipur.
The committee members said the government should also check the violence by Kuki “militants” who migrated from Myanmar.
“All the stakeholders of Manipur are equally responsible to bring peace and development in the state. Manipuri Kukis are our relatives, brothers and sisters and we are not against them,” said Prem Meetie, who also took part in the rally.
In a statement shared with the media, the organisation also blamed the Assam Rifles for supporting and protecting Kuki militant groups and allowing a section of the Kuki community to indulge in unlawful activities such as poppy cultivation and illegal immigration.
Many protesters said that despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit, the community was not feeling safe as the state administration and the armed forces were unable to protect them.
They said only the RSS had stood in support of the Meiteis as the Church was supporting the Kukis.
Protestors demanded that narco terrorism is a huge threat to national Security and there are enough evidence of armed militants involved in SoO (Suspension of Operation) and other groups who are also not involved in SoO agreement to be directly involved and funding of poppy.