Manipur: 10 Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs write to PM Modi, flag harassment by radical Meitei group

The MLAs flagged the January 24 meeting at Kangla Fort in Imphal where '37 Meitei MLAs and two MPs were compelled to take the oath of allegiance' by a radical Meitei group, Arambai Tenggol, in 'contravention of the oath taken under the Constitution of India as elected representatives'

N. Biren SIngh: File picture

Umanand Jaiswal, TT, Guwahati, 31.01.24 : Ten Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs from strife-hit Manipur have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi drawing his attention to the “chaotic” situation in the state while seeking his “prompt intervention” as the situation has turned from “bad to worse”.

The MLAs, in a two-page representation to Modi on Monday, flagged the January 24 meeting at Kangla Fort in Imphal where “37 Meitei MLAs and two MPs were compelled to take the oath of allegiance” by a radical Meitei group, Arambai Tenggol, in “contravention of the oath taken under the Constitution of India as elected representatives”. There “three Meitei MLAs were publicly humiliated and physically assaulted” by the Arambai Tenggol amid heavy security inside and outside the Kangla Fort.

“However, the chief minister has maintained eloquent silence on the public harassment of his law-maker colleagues. One can only imagine the fate of the minority tribals, Muslims, Marwaris, Biharis and others under such harrowing circumstances where a parallel government is run by the Arambai Tenggols,” the representation, which became public on Monday night, said, reiterating their demand for a “separate administration from Manipur”.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh did not attend the meeting at the fort. There are 60 MLAs in Manipur, of whom 40 are Meiteis, including three Meitei Pangals (Muslims).

The Prime Minister has not visited the state since the outbreak of violence on May 3, an issue which was flagged by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Mizoram elections and most recently during the launch of the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Thoubal district of Manipur on January 14. The strife has claimed at least 206 lives and displaced over 67,000 people till now with no signs of abating.

The MLAs and MPs took an oath to “protect” the integrity of Manipur in what is seen as a response to the Kuki-Zos’ sustained demand for a separate administration for their community after they were targetted in the Meitei-majority valley after the eruption of the ongoing violence.

The Arambai Tenggol has been accused by the Kuki-Zo community from the outset of the unrest of being a radical armed group that had targetted the community members in Imphal valley and how it was no longer possible for them to live together with the Meitei in the valley due to safety reasons.

Hence, the demand for separate administration by this group of 10 MLAs and other community-based organisations.