Mokokchung, 25 August (MTNews): Union home minister Amit Shah is reported to have asked the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella body of several valley-based civil society organizations from Manipur, to initiate dialogues with “responsible Kuki leaders and groups” to restore peace in the strife-torn state.
Representatives of the COCOMI on Friday met union home minister Amit Shah at his official residence in New Delhi during which they were encouraged to initiate peace dialogues with the Kuki community.
Following the meeting, the COCOMI also “engaged in a detailed discussion with top officials of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), as per the minister’s instructions,” the Imphal-based body said in a statement.
In a statement, the COCOMI stated that the meetings adopted a six-point resolution that states as follows:
1. Security Measures: The Union Home Minister emphasized a firm stance against all forms of infiltration into Manipur’s territory. Measures are being implemented to register immigrants using biometrics, including retina scans. Stringent action will be taken against all forms of infiltration into Manipur’s territory.
2. Border Fencing: To address concerns about mass infiltration, the government is expediting border fencing in the Manipur sector.
3. Territorial Integrity: There will be no allowance for separate administrations in Manipur.
4. Peace Appeal: The Home Minister appealed for peace in the state and requested COCOMI to convey this message to the people.
5. On National Highways: Ensuring the movement and distribution of commodities in the state can be possibly realized with support from both sides of the communities. And necessary deployment of convoys to secure the highways shall be ensured in a few days.
6. Dialogue Initiatives: COCOMI was encouraged to initiate dialogues with responsible Kuki leaders and groups to facilitate problem-solving and peace-building.
It may be mentioned here that a 15-member team of the COCOM led by its president Jitendra Ningombam left Imphal in Manipur on Thursday (24 August) and held a discussion with the union home minister on Friday (25 August).
Manipur CM assures security to Kuki MLAs
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has assured security to the 10 Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs who have demanded a separate administration for the hill districts. He also said that there can be no division of the state, media reports say.
The 10 MLAs submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16 August, demanding a separate chief secretary and police chief for the hill districts. They have maintained that there is a threat to their lives from Meitei groups.
Singh, who is a Meitei, said that the violence that erupted on May 3 was pre-planned. He also said that the government is not against Kukis.
Kuki minister not to attend assembly session
However, Manipur minister Nemcha Kipgen, belonging to the Kuki community of the state, has stated that she will not attend the state’s assembly session on 29 August.
Nemcha Kipgen, who is the Manipur minister for textiles, commerce and industry and co-operation, has sought leave from the state’s assembly session.
In a letter to the Speaker of the Manipur legislative assembly, Nemcha Kipgen, who is also the lone woman minister in the state’s cabinet, informed that she was advised against travelling to Imphal “on grounds of safety and security”.
“Ever since the ethnic violence erupted in Manipur since May 3, 2023, it has not been possible for me and my family members to stay at Imphal on grounds of safety and security,” Kipgen said.
She added, “I have also consulted with security professionals, who strongly recommend that I exercise caution and refrain from attending the session due to the volatile law and order situation in Imphal, Manipur.”
She further added that “due to the ongoing violent crisis and keeping in mind the law and order situation in Imphal,” she will not attend the upcoming one-day session of the Manipur assembly.
It may be mentioned here that Nemcha Kipgen was among the 10 Kuki MLAs from Manipur who demanded a “separate administration” for the Kuki-Zo communities in the state.
The 10 Kuki MLAs had also submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16 August, demanding a “separate chief secretary and DGP” for the hill districts of Manipur.
Earlier, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh assured security to the 10 Kuki-Zo-Hmar MLAs, who demanded a “separate administration” for the tribals of the state. Manipur CM Biren Singh said that there can be no division of the state.