Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday said the unity and integrity of the state will remain unaffected under any circumstances in response to the demand for an autonomous administration for the Kuki-dominated districts following deadly ethnic clashes earlier this month.
“I assure the people that Manipur’s unity and territorial integrity will not be affected at any cost,” he told reporters at a press conference in Imphal.
Ten members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, advocating a separate administration for the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi tribe, said in a statement, “Our people can no longer live under Manipur as hatred against our tribal community has grown so much that legislators Ministers, priests, police and civil officials, common people, women and even children were not spared, not to mention the destruction of places of worship, houses and properties. Re-living among the Meitei people our people is like death for.”
Rejecting these demands, the Chief Minister said after a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, “The integrity of the state will not be affected under any circumstances.”
Political unity against the demand for separate administration
Amid rising communal violence in Manipur, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress have set aside political differences to protect the territorial integrity of the state. This unity emerges in the aftermath of deadly unrest that has killed more than 70 people and uprooted thousands from the tribal and Meitei communities.
On a similar note, the opposition Congress called for a review of the Suspension of Operations (SOO) agreement with insurgent groups, considering the idea of a separate administration as impractical.
Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said, “Separate administration is impossible in Manipur.” He advised Chief Minister N. Biren to take immediate action, suggesting “deployment of adequate security personnel in peripheral areas on a priority basis where there is a report of tension, will help bring normalcy to the state quickly.”
The tribal legislators, however, persisted in their push for separation from Manipur, arguing, “Since the state of Manipur has miserably failed to protect us, we demand a separate administration under the Constitution of India and live in peace as neighbors.” with the State of Manipur.”
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences to the people of Manipur for the loss of lives and loss of property and assured strong action by the Center to restore peace and normalcy.
During the meeting, Shah assured the chief minister of formation of a joint monitoring committee of state and central forces. “The objective of the committee is to facilitate the return of terrorists to their designated camps under Suspension of Operation (SOO),” Singh said.
Additionally, the committee will investigate the involvement of non-SOO militant groups possessing firearms in the violence. He said that the Home Minister has also sought information on measures to assist those affected by the recent unrest and resolved to expedite the rehabilitation process for the affected persons.
The Chief Minister appealed to the public not to hold any kind of rally, protest or sloganeering, which could create hurdles in the peace initiative. He cautioned against rumors and unverified information and sought the support of civil society organizations in the government’s peace restoration efforts.
“The state government is taking comprehensive measures, including deployment of paramilitary forces in the foothills and providing essential supplies to people living in shelter camps at various places to restore normalcy in the state,” he said.
In addition, the Assam Rifles facilitated the air evacuation of 96 stranded people from Phaisenjung near the Indo-Myanmar border, providing them security, medical aid, food and accommodation at their camp.