Peace talks cannot compromise territorial integrity: Manipur CM
Peace talks between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities of Manipur will not be accepted if they compromise the State’s territorial integrity, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said on Wednesday, echoing Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement at a campaign rally a few days ago.
Speaking at the launch of the BJP’s manifesto in the State, Mr. Singh said any such talks between the two communities should also ensure the protection of the “indigenous people”. “We will not accept peace negotiations that dilute these fundamental issues,” he said.
The hill-based Scheduled Tribe Kuki-Zo and valley-based Meitei communities have been engaged in an ethnic con¨ict in the State since violence erupted last May. So far, over 220 people have been killed, thousands injured, and tens of thousands displaced. The con¨ict was triggered by a Manipur High Court order regarding the Meitei community’s demand for ST status. The Meiteis claim that they are indigenous to the land and hence should qualify to be called a tribe.
Formal peace talks between apex civil bodies of the Meiteis and Kukis are yet to begin. Mr. Singh said the Home Minister had acknowledged deliberate attempts to disrupt the demographic balance of the State, asking why “this fact” was apparently unknown to the Opposition.
While campaigning for Th. Basantakumar Singh, the BJP’s candidate for the Inner Manipur seat, on April 15, Mr. Shah said the Centre had scrapped the Free Movement Regime agreement with Myanmar in order to thwart a conspiracy to change the demography of Manipur.
The CM appealed to voters to ensure the victory of Mr. Basantakumar Singh, who is also a member of the Cabinet sub-committee set up by the State government to identify illegal immigrants.
Meanwhile, days after the State saw renewed violence resulting in the killing of two Kuki-Zo village defence volunteers, more civil society organisations representing these tribes issued statements, asking the community to either vote against N. Biren Singh’s party, or abstain from voting, or vote decisively as a community.
On Wednesday, the Committee on Tribal Unity in Sadar Hills followed the Kuki Inpi Manipur Sadar Hills’ statement asking Kuki-Zo people in Kangpokpi district to abstain from voting. Previously, Kuki-Zomi-Hmar women’s groups in Delhi and Manipur had informed the Chief Election Commissioner of their decision to boycott polls.
On Wednesday, Mr. Singh added, “Modi’s compassion was evident when the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act was lifted from 19 police station areas, considering its impact on the youth and sections of society.”
(With inputs from PTI)