Imphal: Ten Kuki MLAs of Manipur have submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting for creation of posts of Chief Secretary and DGP or its equivalent posts for hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Pherzawl District at Lamka, Churachandpur and sanction of Rs. 500 Crore from PM’s Relief Fund.
The 9 point memorandum dated August 16 was issued and signed by the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs are, Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen, Tengnoupal MLA Letpao Haokip, Churchandpur MLA LM Khaute, Kangpokpi MLA Nemcha Kipgen, Tipaimukh MLA Ngursanglur Sanate, Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip, Singhat MLA Chinlunthang, Henglep MLA Letzamang Haokip, Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing and one signed on behalf of Thanlon MLA Vungzagin Valte.
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The following is the full memorandum submitted to PM Modi:
We, the duly elected members of Manipur Legislative Assembly would like to approach your esteemed office to look into the plight and grievances faced by the Kuki-Zo people of Manipur since 3rd May 2023.
- As your esteemed office is aware that since 03-05-2023, the Kuki-Zomis mostly residing in Imphal as government employees, businessmen, daily wage earners and laborers were suddenly subjected to a wave of devastating attacks by the Meitei militias, viz. Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun along with Meitei mobs in Greater Imphal area, during which their residential houses, quarters, vehicles were torched and burnt to ashes, which spread like wildfire within the city of Imphal, the Manipur State Capital.
- That, not only were their houses, settlement areas, vehicles, churches burnt, but the Kuki-Zomi students studying and residing in Manipur University hostels, other hostels and institutions, including medical colleges and nurses were dragged out from their hostels and rented houses by the Meitei mob and were tortured, molested, raped and killed, which is still continuing unabated till today. Even members of the State Legislative Assembly were not spared. The Manipur Legislative Assembly Member of Thanlon Constituency Shri Vungzagin Valte and his driver were waylaid while he was returning from a meeting from the Chief Minister’s Bungalow. His driver was beaten to death, and the MLA was tortured and beaten and left for dead; he, however, was rescued by the Security Forces and was rushed to New Delhi, where he is slowly recovering, but left incapacitated both physically and mentally. Another two Cabinet Ministers namely Shri Letpao Haokip’s house and properties were burnt to ashes and Smt. Nemcha Kipgen’s residential quarters was set ablaze.
- That, after looting, destroying and burning of houses, properties, churches and our localities in the Imphal capital and villages, the Meiteis under the leadership of Chief Minister, Mr N. Biren Singh continue to wage war against the Kuki- Zo hill tribals by attacking villages in the hill districts almost every day.
- That, as the Imphal capital has become a valley of death and destruction for the Kuki-Zo people, no one dares to go back to Imphal, where important offices, including the state secretariat and other important govt. offices and institutions are located. Mention may be made here that a mentally unstable woman who was caught by Meirapaibis, a Meitei women group was handed over to the Meitei militias and killed as she was taken to be a Kuki woman. The most gruesome and barbaric beheading of David Thiek, a young man from Langza village by Meitei Terrorists and two Kuki-Zo women, who were stripped naked and molested, humiliated, violated and gangraped by Meite mob have shaken the conscience of our countrymen and people around the world.
- That, there is a long list of human right violations, attacks, killings of innocent, arson, destruction of properties and burning of Kuki-Zo villages. No Kuki-Zo people can go to Imphal, nor government employees posted in Imphal capital and other valley districts can attend their offices. There seems to be no end because it is a state sponsored war against Kuki-Zo tribals. It is also worth mentioning that the Chief Minister Mr. N.Biren Singh threatened that he will declare war upon the Kuki-Zo people ( Source 24th December 2022, Manipur My Government – YouTube Channel). Mr. Govindas Konthoujam, Minister PWD stated that “Meiteis were warriors, we can’t stay silent. I am also in the field, time to teach the Kukis by Manipuri Forces and Youth”. (Source AIR Sangai Channel dated 6th June 2023). The Chairman of Meitei Leepun Mr. Pramod Singh called upon the Meiteis to “blow up Kangpokpi and Churachandpur to wipe our Kukis” on 6th June 2023 (Source: Karan Thapar & Pramod Singh’s interview on the Wire). COCOMI (Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity), the apex body of seven Meitei Civil Societies, openly declared war upon Kuki- Chin/Kuki-Zo people on the 7th June 2023 under the theme “Meeyamgi Warep” at a public meeting.
- That, it is also pertinent to mention here that even the IAS and MCS officers, and IPS and MPS officer belonging to the Kuki- Zo tribes have been unable to function and discharge their duties as Imphal valley has also become a valley of death for us.
- That, in view of aforesaid, it is, therefore, prayed that in order to solve the problems faced by the government employees belonging to the Kuki-Zo tribals and for efficient administration of the districts inhabited by us, the post of Chief Secretary or its equivalent post and the post of DGP or equivalent post need to be immediately created. Besides, other key senior level posts in the civil and police department should also be created in Public interest.
- Further, we would like to appeal to you for sanction of Rs 500 crore from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for proper rehabilitation of the Zomi-Kuki people, who have been devastated by the riots and systematic ethnic cleansing.
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