Manipur violence: 10 Oppn parties write to PM Modi, question his ‘stoic silence’

Opposition parties also termed Manipur Chief Minister as the "architect of present ethnic violence" and said the clashes could have been averted if he had taken preventive measures and prompt actions.

Flames and smoke billows out after an old warehouse owned by a retired bureaucrat set ablaze amid violence in Manipur, at Palace Compound in Imphal East district, Friday, June 16, 2023. (PTI Photo)

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A total of 10 political parties in Manipur, including the Congress, have written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his immediate intervention to resolve the ethnic violence that has left over 110 people dead and thousands displaced in the state.

In the letter dated June 19, the Opposition parties blamed “the divide and rule politics of the BJP government at the Centre and in the state for having failed to contain the violence in Manipur”. They also termed Manipur Chief Minister as the “architect of present ethnic violence” and said the clashes could have been averted had he taken preventive measures and prompt actions.

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The letter also criticised the “stoic silence of the Hon’ble prime minister” and stated that despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state, “peace is hard to come by”.

Calling for the immediate cessation of firing, the Opposition parties said all armed groups must be disarmed immediately and adequate security measures should be undertaken. “Strict adherence to ground rules of “Suspension of Operation” by Kuki militants under “SoO” should be ensured,” the letter further said.

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The Opposition parties stated that they stood for the unity and territorial integrity of Manipur and thus were against the demand of “Separate Administration” for Kukis as was demanded by ten MLAs, including two ministers, belonging to the Kuki Tribe.

manipur opposition parties write

Voicing their disappointment with the relief package of Rs 101.75 crores announced by the Union government, the parties demanded a more realistic rehabilitation and resettlement package for the affected people, by collecting data from the state government.

They also called for the opening of National Highway No. 2, which connects Imphal to Dimapur. “National Highway No. 2, connecting Imphal to Dimapur, the lifeline of Manipur, has been blocked by some Kuki organisations living along the highway since 3rd of May. Movement of essential commodities and other goods has been completely disrupted resulting in their non-availability and hike in prices,” the letter said.

The parties also called for a strict vigilance along the Manipur-Myanmar border to prevent the influx of illegal migrants because of disturbed conditions in the state.