Continued violence in Manipur undermines India’s strides in development ahead of G-20: Meitei diaspora to PMO

Meitei diaspora and supporters worldwide urge PM Modi to intervene in Manipur violence, citing its threat to India's development strides. Letter calls for PM to visit affected people, engage with CM Biren Singh, and protect citizens. Signatories remain anonymous due to sensitivity of situation.

The persistence of violence in Manipur for over four months now threatens to undermine the “significant strides in development” India is making as the country prepares to host the G-20 Summit, a group of 1,300 Meitei people from across Europe, the U.S., and other parts of the world and their supporters have said in an open letter to the Prime Minister’s Office. 

The letter, sent on September 3, and received by the PMO on September 4, was signed by Meitei diaspora worldwide and their supporters, some of whom are also in Delhi. It has also been marked to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar,  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. 

Signed by the “Meitei diaspora worldwide and supporters”, the letter appealed for immediate intervention to restore normalcy and harmony in Manipur and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur and visit the affected people. The signatories also asked that the PM “personally engage” with Mr. Biren Singh and other authorities to bring peace.

The State has been seeing an undergoing ethnic conflict between the dominant Valley-based Meitei community and the Hills-based Scheduled Tribe Kuki-Zomi people. Nearly 200 people have been killed so far, with hundreds more injured and tens of thousands internally displaced. 

The open letter said, “We acknowledge the intricate complexities inherent to our Manipur society - the Meiteis, the Nagas, and the Kuki communities, each with their own unique identities and aspirations. However, the pivotal role of your esteemed office is to serve as a binding force that ensures the protection and progress of every Indian citizen.” 

“Your presence in Manipur and immediate intervention will bring hope and a sense of security to the violence-ridden people and assure their life and livelihood,” they continued. 

The letter said that the violence had most starkly affected the State’s farmers and students, citing the death of a farmer in Bishnupur district on August 29 and the displacement of hundreds of students in the State. The signatories said, “Manipur is on the verge of a conflict-induced famine and starvation as farmers are not able to work in their fields despite the presence of security forces for their protection.”