Finger of accusation pointed at Delhi

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 12: Categorically saying that the Government of India has its hands in the protracted Manipur violence, the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) has underscored the urgent need  to fight the key issues plaguing Manipur collectively.
A public discussion on “Tronglaobi tragic incident and people’s movement” was held today at Ibudhou Pakhangba Community Hall, Malom Awang under the aegis of the Malom to Meitram Awang Apunba Meira Paibi.
Members of many civil society organisations including AMUCO, COCOMI and UCM spoke at the public discussion.
AMUCO vice-president Kshetrimayum Rajen emphasised the urgent need to fight the issues besieging Manipur collectively.
“These issues cannot be tackled with just physical force. We must pool in our wisdom and intellectual resources too”, he said.
“Let us consult a broad range of intellectuals and work together to solve these issues before it is too late”, he added.
The AMUCO vice-president said that the Government of India has been following different strategies in their effort to suppress the insurgent groups of Manipur.
The Government of India has its hands in the widespread violence which broke out in the State on May 3, 2023 and is still lingering, he said.
Rajen went on to allege that all the violence including the Tronglaobi attack, and the clash in Ukhrul are manifestations of the Government of India’s machination.  
All the people need to pool in their resources, both physical and intellectual, and work together to protect the integrity and territorial boundary of Manipur, he added.
COCOMI Central Committee Shanta Nahakpam said that many CSOs including COCOMI and AMUCO have been working in the forefront on many key issues of the State.
He said that there are reasons for the COCOMI demanding resignation of Chief Minister Y Khemchand while no such demand was raised during the time of Chief Minister N Biren.
There was no question of condoning former Chief Minister N Biren, he said.
Shanta said that COCOMI wishes a peaceful and stable Manipur.
Following the installation of a new Government with a Meitei Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Minister from the Naga and Kuki communities, people expected early restoration of peace and normalcy, he said.
But the new Government has failed miserably to bring peace and normalcy. On the contrary, there have been unwanted incidents since the new Government was installed, Shanta said.
The Government is still unable to take up a single concrete step with regard to the murder of the two kids and the killing of three protesters at Tronglaobi. The Government  is unable to contain the violence and resolve the crisis, he said.
The COCOMI has been demanding resignation of Chief Minister Y Khemchand as his Government has failed to take any bold decision or initiate concrete action against the perpetrators of the Tronglaobi attack, Shanta clarified.
He said that the issue of Tronglaobi attack cannot be swept under the carpet by handing over the case to the NIA and promising ex-gratia to the victim family.
He also called upon all the people to fight collectively until justice is done.
People’s Alliance for Peace and Progress, Manipur (PAPPM) secretary Longjam Sanjoy said that Tronglaobi attack was planned by the Kukis to deliberately provoke and infuriate Meiteis.
The attack was aimed at angering Meiteis and sparking mass protest so that the Meiteis suffer more casualties, Sanjoy said.
People have been carrying a series of agitation and protest since May 3, 2023 till the recent Tronglaobi attack but there has been little change and nothing has been achieved so far, he said.
He then highlighted the need to carry on the mass protest movement under a well thought out strategy.
All the people must unite under a single organisation or committee and carry on protest movements with strict discipline. No movement should be allowed to be carried away by emotions, Sanjoy said.
Malom Makha Meira Paibi secretary Kshetrimayum Premi, Malom Mayai Leikai Meira Paibi secretary Khoisnam Tara, Malom Awang Leikai Meira Paibi secretary Mayanglambam Elizabeth and Malom Apunba Development Organisation advisor Indu too spoke at the public discussion.