MHRC files suo-moto case against govt for forcefully shifting Kuki families from Imphal

Agencies, Imphal, Sept 07: The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has taken up a suo-moto case against the “forced shifting” of Kuki families from Imphal allegedly by the state government.

The Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Commissioner (Home), DGP and SP Imphal East to submit the status report regarding the allegations made against the state. Notice is returnable on October 3; respondents shall submit the status report on or before the return date, the notice stated.

The commission has taken the suo moto case on the basis of a news article published in a newspaper.

Following the forceful eviction by govt, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki tribes, had declared “total separation of the Kukis and the Meiteis” after the last 24 Kuki people at New Lambulane in Imphal were evacuated safely.

KIM Information and Publicity Secretary, Janghaolun Haokip, said that the Kuki Inpi Manipur is aghast at the dastardly attack against the last of the Kuki volunteers, numbering 24 men, who had been guarding the houses and properties of the Kukis at New Lambulane, Imphal from the intermittent arson and looting.

Many civil societies and social organisation have also criticised this act of the government.

Since May 3, this year, Manipur has turned into a war zone due to the ethnic-violence. The clashes between the two communities have displaced thousands from their original home. Over 150 people have been killed and at least 400 people wounded in the violence. More than 60,000 have been forced from their homes as the army, parliamentary forces and police struggle to quell violence.

Security forces have been deployed in affected areas of the state and additional forces have also been called to bring back peace in the state.

Meanwhile, the central government has stated that it is closely monitoring every activity in Manipur.

Imphal Free Press: The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has taken up a suo-moto case against the "forced shifting" of Kuki families from Imphal allegedly by the state authorities.

The Commission on Wednesday issued a notice to the respondents of the case, namely the chief secretary, state of Manipur, commissioner (Home), state of Manipur, DGP, Manipur and SP Imphal East to submit the status report regarding the allegations made against the state.

The commission took up the suo-moto case on the basis of a news article published in the daily newspaper Times of India, a national daily, with the headline, ‘State authority forcibly shifted the lone Kuki family from the Imphal valley.’

The report mentioned that “The Manipur government evacuated in a swift post-midnight operation on Saturday the last remaining 10 Kuki families living in the heart of Imphal, who had displayed unwavering courage in the face of relentless threats and looming communal violence to defiantly cling to their homes in the New Lambulane locality the past four months.

Reverend Prim Vaiphei, 78-year-old clergymen and the oldest among the 24 evacuees, said he won’t forget the knocks at the door by security personnel, as he and his family members were jolted out of sleep, not given any time to pack their belongings, and herded into bulletproof Casper military vehicles.”

Considering the facts as stated in the news item, the Commission issued notice to the respondents to submit the status report regarding the allegations made against the state in the news item.

Notice is returnable on October 3; respondents shall submit the status report on or before the return date, the notice stated.

Meanwhile the Commissioner (Home), government of Manipur shall direct the DGP, Manipur to protect the residence of Kuki family, who are allegedly forcibly shifted from the Imphal valley, till they resettle at Imphal either by their own or by the government of Manipur, it added.

The Sangai Express, IMPHAL, Sep 6: Following the evacuation of 10 Kuki families from New Lambu-lane, Imphal a few days ago, the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has taken up a suo-moto case directing the Government and the police to submit a status report regarding allegations that claim the families were shifted "forcibly".

The case was taken up on the basis of a news item published by the Times of India, a National newspaper, with the caption "State authority forcibly shifted the lone Kuki family from the Imphal valley," said the MHRC.

In the said news, it is mentioned that “The Manipur Government evacuated in a swift post-midnight operation on Saturday the last remaining 10 Kuki  families living in the heart of Imphal, who had displayed unwavering courage in the  face of relentless threats and looming communal violence to defiantly cling to their  homes in the New Lambulane locality the past four months.

"Reverend Prim Vaiphei,  a 78 year old clergymen and the oldest among the 24 evacuees, said he won’t forget  the knocks at the door by security personnel, as he and his family members were  jolted out of sleep, not given any time to pack their belongings, and herded into  bulletproof Casper military vehicles."

The Commission, issuing notice to the Chief Secretary, Commissioner (Home),  DGP and SP Imphal East, directed the authorities to submit a status report "regarding the allegations made against State in the news item" on or before October 3.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner (Home) shall direct the DGP to protect the residences of Kuki families, who have been allegedly forcibly shifted from the Imphal valley, till they resettle at Imphal either by their own or by the Government of Manipur, said the MHRC.

The Commission fixed October 3 for the next hearing.

It may be noted here that the Kuki families at New Lambulane (about 24 people) were evacuated amid the heightened tension and gunbattles between armed Kukis and security forces in the peripheries of the valley region that surfaced afresh after days of calm.

Even though there was unrest in the periphery of the valley region, New Lambulane in Imphal was relatively calm before the Kuki families were evacuated. Moreover, the locality was tightly guarded by the security forces round the clock and off-limits to outsiders to ensure peace.

Notably, the homes of the Kuki families in New Lambulane are still intact and they have not been burnt. On the other hand, it has been reported that there are no Meitei houses standing in Churachandpur and Moreh.

Demanding a separate administration for themselves carved out of Manipur, armed Kukis and their SoO militants, in a bid to draw a boundary and divide communities, have burnt hundreds and hundreds of houses and shops belonging to the Meitei community and levelled them to the ground at Churachandpur and Moreh, said a displaced Meitei man who is staying at a relief camp at Imphal.

While the thousands of displaced Meiteis from Churachandpur, Bishnupur and Moreh have urged the Government to bring peace and allow them to return to their original settlements, the Kuki organisations, on the other hand, have reiterated and reinforced their idea of separation of the two communities, he said.

Significantly, following the evacuation of the 24 people, Kuki Inpi, an apex body of the Kukis, had issued a declaration that there is "now total separation of the Meiteis and the Kukis”.

The Kuki Inpi had urged the Central Government to "constitutionally" recognise the "separation".

"One group of people want to divide the people, disintegrate Manipur and form a separate administration by destroying the aged cultural ties and social fabric, and the other group--the Meiteis want all communities to coexist together, protect Manipur's integrity, history and culture. No amount of propaganda can cover up this fact. Future will be tough for those who are on the wrong side of history," he said.