Last Updated on September 25, 2024 12: 13am
Guwahati: Delhi-based leading Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) of Manipur have submitted an urgent memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for immediate action to protect Meitei civilians from violent attacks allegedly by armed Kuki militants in the strife-torn state.
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The organisations – Delhi Manipuri Society (DeMAS), Meitei Heritage Society and Ningols United Progressive Initiative (NUPI) – while expressing deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation back in the state called for decisive measures to prevent further bloodshed.
The memorandum highlights a series of attacks, including using drones and improvised rockets, launched by alleged Kuki militants against the Meitei community that started on September 1, 2024.
The memorandum states that these armed groups have launched coordinated drone and rocket attacks on Meitei civilians in certain bordering villages of Imphal West, Moirang and Jiribam.
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The gruesome attacks have resulted in many casualties, including that of a 31-year-old mother of two, and a 70-year-old man, besides leaving several others injured.
The memorandum, submitted on September 20, detailed specific incidents, including drone bombings that left behind a trail of destruction in Imphal West’s Koutruk and Senjam Chirang villages.
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According to the local populace, drones were used to drop several bombs on their villages during the attacks.
The CSOs indicated the use of sophisticated technology raising serious concerns of external involvement.
The memorandum further alleged that an ambulance registered under a hill-based students’ organisation was used by the Kuki militants to carry out the attacks.
The Delhi-based CSOs have urged the Union government to initiate an investigation into the alleged involvement of the hill-based student’s organisation and other groups in the attacks on the Meitei-inhabited villages.
The groups also urged to revoke the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Kuki militant outfits accusing them of violating its terms.
The groups also urged to list the militant outfits responsible for these attacks as terrorist organisations.
The CSOs further urged for a comprehensive crackdown on the armed Kuki militants involved in the brutal attacks, and their alleged foreign connections, which the groups claimed are fuelling the unceasing violence.
While highlighting concerns about threats to national security, the groups stressed the need for urgent intervention of the Central government to preserve Manipur’s territorial integrity and restore peace in the restive state.