Meitei groups demand PM Modi’s intervention to end violence in Manipur

The Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC), along with the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), Meitei Alliance and Global Manipur Federation (GMF), today organised a massive protest at Jantar Mantar, calling for an end to the 15-month-old violence in Manipur. The groups urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and protect the historical and cultural integrity of Manipur, which has been under siege since May 2023.

The protests have been fueled by recent escalations in violence, including airstrikes and rocket attacks by Kuki militants. On September 1, 2024, a drone strike in Koutruk, Imphal East, resulted in the death of Surbala, a 31-year-old mother of two. Another attack on September 6 targeted Moirang Phiwangbam Leikai in Bishenpur district, killing an elderly man and wounding six others, including a 13-year-old girl. The rocket attack also damaged the house of Manipur Chief Minister Mairembam Koireng Singh.

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The DMCC condemned the central and state governments for their perceived inaction and criticized the use of violence as a political tool by Kuki separatists. They highlighted the ongoing ethnic cleansing and military aggression by Kuki forces against the Meetei community, which has exacerbated sectarian tensions and disrupted peace efforts.

International factors, including cross-border terrorism and drug cartels, were also cited as contributing to the violence. Protesters accused the Indian government of failing to protect civilians and targeting Meeteis while allowing the Kuki protests to continue unhindered.

The DMCC memorandum to the Prime Minister demanded immediate action to dismantle the Kuki bunkers, end the appeasement policy and restore peace and coexistence. The group called for an investigation into alleged biased actions by security agencies and stressed the need for accountability and trust building among communities.