Latest news with #Meitei-dominant
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Meitei Group COCOMI Meets Home Ministry, Asks To Act Against "Anti-Peace Elements"
New Delhi: A delegation of a Meitei civil society group from Manipur on Tuesday conveyed to the Centre its strong sentiments over a recent incident where the state's name written on the windshield of a bus was covered with a white paper. At a meeting held in Delhi, the delegation of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) also conveyed to the two representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) its unwavering commitment to peace and its willingness to cooperate in all genuine efforts to restore normalcy, a release issued by the COCOMI said. While the civil society group was represented by a seven-member team, the MHA was represented by AK Mishra, adviser to the MHA on northeast affairs, and Rajesh Kamble, MHA Joint Director. The delegation conveyed the strong sentiments and demands of the people regarding the Gwaltabi issue and the MHA officials assured that the matter has been noted for necessary governmental action, the release said. It was alleged that security forces had stopped a state-run bus, in which journalists were being taken by the government to cover the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district on May 20, near the Gwaltabi checkpost and forced the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to cover the state's name written on the windshield with a white paper. Over the last week, protests over the incident have been going on in the Meitei-dominant Imphal valley. "The COCOMI reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to peace and its willingness to cooperate in all genuine efforts to restore normalcy. It urged the government of India to take prompt and effective action against anti-peace elements that continue to undermine peace initiatives. Both sides agreed to maintain communication and continue dialogue in the future, with a shared goal of restoring peace and stability in Manipur at the earliest," the release said. The delegation highlighted several issues "requiring immediate attention and urgent intervention" from the government to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population, it said. These include, the COCOMI said, ensuring free movement of people, safeguarding farmers' right to cultivation along with appropriate compensation for their losses, protection of sacred religious sites, justice for missing persons, and the resettlement and redressal of grievances of internally displaced persons. The COCOMI rejected the "legitimacy of SoO groups", referring to the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement. It said engaging with civilians and genuine citizens from the Chin, Kuki, Mizo, Zomi, and Hmar tribes should be done after sorting out the anti-peace elements, the statement said. The group expressed deep concern over the "growing threats posed by narco-terrorism", cross border illegal immigration, widespread illegal opium cultivation, rampant forest encroachment, and the deteriorating law and order situation. The COCOMI delegation said it "highlighted that proceeds from these illicit activities are being used to fund armed groups led by foreign-based individuals." "Alarmingly, these groups have been in political dialogue with the government of India since 2008 and continue to receive financial support and shelter under the banner of the peace process. COCOMI appealed to the government of India to urgently review its engagement with these groups," it said. Over 260 people have been killed and 50,000 have been internally displaced since Meitei-Kuki ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. Meitei groups maintain the territorial integrity of the state is non-negotiable in any peace process, while the Kuki tribes say they want a separate administration.
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
'Submitted Documents On Illegal Immigrants': Manipur Ex Chief Minister After Meeting Governor
Imphal: Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday said he discussed the prevailing situation in the state with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and asked him to invite the protesters for talks to resolve the Gwaltabi incident. Over the last week, protests over the Gwaltabi incident have been going on in the Meitei-dominant Imphal valley. It was alleged that security forces stopped a state-run bus, in which journalists were being taken by the government to cover the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district on May 20, near the Gwaltabi checkpost and forced the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to cover the state's name written on the windshield with a white paper. "Today I met governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. I discussed with him regarding the prevailing situation in the state and suggested some points. He listened and said necessary actions will be initiated to resolve the crisis by inviting the protesters. I hope so," Mr Singh said at a late-night press conference. Mr Singh said he also apprised the Governor about the issues of internally displaced people (IDP) staying in relief camps. "I apprised him (Governor) about the issues of IDPs who are staying in relief camps as well as the sufferings of the valley people due to the non-opening of national highways. People are not able to travel by road and I apprised him of that," he said. "I also urged him to disarm all those miscreants who are in possession of illegal arms. Only then, we can proceed for peace." The former chief minister said the purpose of the meeting included showing appreciation to the Ministry of Home Affairs for setting a 30-day deadline to identify illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. "Today's main purpose of the visit was in appreciation of the Ministry of Home Affairs for setting a deadline of 30 days to identify illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar... I also submitted all documents which were started in 2021 during which several illegal immigrants were identified under the leadership of then minister Letpao Haokip, who was the chairman of a sub-committee to look into the matter," Mr Singh said. "We had a detailed discussion on a range of pressing issues concerning the state, including issues regarding the Gwaltabi incident and to resolve the tensions arising from it," he said in a post on X. Called on Hon'ble Governor, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at Raj Bhavan today. We had a detailed discussion on a range of pressing issues concerning the State, including issues regarding the Gwaltabi incident and to resolve the tensions arising from it. We also had a talk on the... — N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) May 27, 2025 "We also had a talk on the initiatives taken under the BJP-led government in line with the Ministry of Home Affairs' 30-day directive- from biometric registration and verification drives to deportation of undocumented foreign nationals... I requested the Governor to seek an extension of the 30-day deadline issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. These measures are vital for ensuring national security and preserving Manipur's cultural fabric," the former chief minister added. Since May 2023, more than 260 people have been killed and thousands have been internally displaced in ethnic violence between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes, who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur. The Centre imposed President's rule in the state on February 13 after Mr Singh resigned as chief minister. The assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
NDTV
03-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Manipur Marks 2nd Anniversary Of Ethnic Clashes With Mass Gatherings
Imphal/Churachandpur: A statewide shutdown and mass gatherings marked the second anniversary of the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki and Zomi tribes of Manipur on Saturday, amid demands for free and safe movement of all residents, and a separate administrative arrangement. Shutdowns, observed in both the Meitei-dominant Imphal valley and the Kuki-Zo-dominated hill districts, brought life to a grinding halt across the state. While the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) enforced the shutdown in the valley, the Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) led similar actions in the hill areas. In the state capital Imphal, COCOMI organised a public convention at Khuman Lampak Stadium, where speakers urged the central government to ensure the "free and safe movement" of all residents in the state. Christened the 'Manipur People's Convention', it adopted a resolution accusing the Centre of failing in its responsibilities and called for an immediate and time-bound roadmap to restore peace and normalcy. "The People's Convention demands that the Government of India formally accept responsibility for its role in perpetuating the crisis and immediately initiate a comprehensive, time-bound roadmap for the restoration of peace, law and order, and a secure environment for all communities in Manipur," it stated. The convention also condemned the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with militant groups like the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF), claiming these units received "safe havens, financial backing, and logistical support" under the guise of the pact since 2008. The resolution emphasised that Manipur's territorial integrity must not be compromised. "Under no circumstance shall the territorial integrity, historical identity, and political unity of Manipur be compromised. Any attempt, external or internal, to divide or disintegrate the state will be firmly and collectively opposed by the people of Manipur," it added. It also urged the Centre to address illegal immigration, alleging that many individuals have settled in the state using forged documents. In Churachandpur, thousands of Kuki-Zo residents gathered at the 'Wall of Remembrance' in Tuibuong to observe 'Separation Day', marking their community's continuing demand for a separate administrative arrangement. The day was marked by memorial events, musical tributes, and the distribution of compensation to 127 victims by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights. Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson for the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), said: "Until and unless our demands for a separate administration in the form of Union Territory is granted, we will continue to fight for justice." Lenminlal Gangte, vice-president of KSO Churachandpur, added that peace cannot be set as a precondition for resolving the conflict with the Meiteis. Another memorial event took place at the Sehken Village burial site, where MLA LM Khaute advocated for political autonomy, again in the form of a Union Territory.
