Probe role of CM, Rajya Sabha MP in fuelling violence: Manipur tribal body

Manipur Tribals’ Forum, Delhi calls for an investigation into the role of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba in fuelling violent ethnic clashes in Manipur on May 3 between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zomi communities

The Manipur Tribals’ Forum, Delhi (MTFD) has called for the Union government to investigate the alleged role of the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba in fuelling the violent ethnic clashes that erupted in Manipur on May 3 between the dominant Meitei community and the Kuki-Zomi community.

The MTFD, which was the first to approach the Supreme Court seeking intervention in Manipur days after the violence began, held a press conference in Delhi on Wednesday reiterating the demand of the Kuki-Zomi community to impose President’s Rule in the State and initiate the process of creating a separate administration for them. 

More urgently, the MTFD urged the Manipur government to ensure that the mortal remains of tribal people killed by Meitei extremists, which are lying at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences and the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, be kept intact and that their identification be conducted on a priority basis. 

The outfit alleged that the violence against the Kuki-Zomi-Mizo-Hmar communities in Manipur was being perpetrated by extremist Meitei groups like Arambai Tenggol and Meetei Leepun, who they said were “allowed” to steal weapons from strongholds of State security forces in the Imphal valley. On the other hand, the MTFD said that Kuki-Zomi villagers have been using handmade weapons and ammunition and a few licensed guns to defend themselves. 

MTFD general secretary W.L. Hanzsing said that Manipur has been seeing “polarisation politics” only after the N. Biren Singh government came to power. “The Kuki people have traditionally been the closest geographical neighbours of Meiteis in the valley for the longest time. This is a classic case of looking for an enemy to consolidate power,” Mr. Hanzsing said.

Arambai Tenggol and Meetei Leepun gained popularity as cultural youth outfits only about four to five years ago and many in Manipur had not heard of their activities until a few months ago. While public statements show that Meetei Leepun owe their allegiance to Mr. Sanajaoba, who is not just an MP but also the titular king of Manipur, Arambai Tenggol has been known to be pro-State government and has consistently countered protests against the State government. 

Social media posts of the Arambai Tenggol show public support for State government policies like its “war on drugs” campaign to clear poppy cultivation in the hill areas and the drive to clear forest land of “illegal encroachments” to preserve them. These are policies that Kuki organisations have maintained are discriminatory and meant to target their community. The Chief Minister has attended several public programmes held by these outfits in the last few years.