In memorandum to PM Modi, Manipur MLAs urge for complete disarmament, NRC

Forty MLAs from violence-hit Manipur have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the State requires complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security.

Forty MLAs from violence-hit Manipur have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the State requires complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security.

The MLAs, most of whom are ethnic Meiteis, also demanded the withdrawal of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with Kuki groups, implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the State and strengthening of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).

In the memorandum, these MLAs opposed the demand for a 'separate administration' by Kuki groups.

"For the immediate establishment of security, simple deployment of forces is inadequate. Although it is imperative to halt the violence in the peripheral areas, a complete disarmament is the key to achieve this goal. The entire State requires a complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security," said the memorandum that was submitted to PM Modi on August 9.

"The confiscation of all weapons belonging to insurgent groups and illegal armed foreign forces and those snatched from the State machinery needs to be carried out. In this regard, the Central security forces need to adopt a more proactive approach to ensure lasting peace in the region," it added.

“There have been numerous instances of farmers going out to work their fields only to be fired upon by militants,” the memorandum said.

"In many cases, these firing incidents have occurred in the presence of Central Security Forces which have failed to react appropriately, or react at all," it claimed, demanding that Assam Rifles (9, 22 and 37) need to be transferred from their present location of deployment and "trustworthy Central forces" along with State security can replace them to "neutralise and sanitise" all threats to peace, security and stability.