Even as the violent conflict between the Kuki-Zo tribes and Meiteis has passed 130 days since it erupted on May 3 sporadic deadly confrontations continue in the border area between Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts.
During the past four months of the violent conflict the monsoon session of the Indian Parliament which began on July 20 and ended on August 11 had failed to discuss the core issue of the ongoing violent conflict in Manipur.
A little hope the peole of Manipur had in the Manipur Legislative Assembly was also shattered with the one-day session for the fourth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 29 ending up with a business of 11 minutes only disappointing and insulting the general population of the state.
Despite Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren’s all-out efforts to have the Kuki-Zo MLAs attended the one-day Monsoon session of fourth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 29, the Assembly session was held just like a lightening without them.
Whether the leaves of absence from the Assembly Session of the 10 MLAs were granted without discussions on it is not known yet officially.
Notably, fresh violence started at Naransena in Bishnupur district with Kuki-Zomi militants from the nearby hills attacking farmers in the paddy field in the early morning on August 29, the day of One-Day Session of Fourth Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
In retaliation to the Kuki-Zomi militants, the gunfight at Naransena in Churachandpur-Bishnupur border area claimed at least seven and over seven others were also wounded.
Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren appeal for peace in Manipur in their speeches on 77th Independence Day of India, Kuki-Zomi militants clad in combat uniform and some wearing bulletproof jackets, marched in the Independence Day parade at Churachandpur with assault rifles and an array of bolt action rifles send shockwaves showing their firepowers.
The violent conflict that erupted on May 3 in Manipur’s Churachandpur district where thousands of people belonging to Meitei community fled to survive and their houses were burnt down still continues.
The violent conflict between the Kuki-Zomi and Meitei claimed lives of 180 persons and about 60,000 people were dsiplaced. Thousands of houses 3000 houses were burnt down and destroyed.
However, the remaining Meiteis in foothills are still fighting with village protection volunteers against the attacks from the surrounding hills.
Moreover, the existing and emerging Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Manipur along the along the support from the general population are fighting for the protection of the Meiteis from the Kuki-Zo attacks and to safeguard the territorial integrity and unity of Manipur by taking the same position that No Separate Administration in Manipur.
Amidst the violent conflict and voice of the people, the Chief Minister of Manipur Nongthombam Biren on August 31 at the state-level celebration of “Meri Maati Mera Desh” at the MDFDS auditorium, Palace Compund in Imphal stressed the imperative need for unity among CSOs to overcome the current confusing scenario that have arisen from the proliferation of various civil bodies.
Expressing his concerns over the multitude of voices and civil bodies, he emphasised that the recent mushrooming of such groups has caused a sense of perplexity within both Central and State governments.
Biren urged these bodies to amalgamate their efforts, fostering a harmonised approach to address ongoing conflicts more effectively. “In this juncture of the state’s journey, it is pivotal that we, as a collective, undertake the right steps to secure the rights of our indigenous population,” stated the Chief Minister, acknowledging the gravity of the current situation.
In the meanwhile, over 10,000 youths from various districts of Manipur gathered at the public ground of Social Welfare Club, Khongman Atom Leirak in Imphal East on September 3 demanded that all the CSOs to immediately announce their collective stance on the present turmoil.
The gathering of youths took oath in the name of Lord Pakhangba to fight for Manipur without leaving any stones unturned. The youths also prayed to Lord Pakhangba to hoist “Langam Fhiral” (victory flag) amid the present crisis.
The gathering strongly condemned the student bodies for remaining as mute spectators and the various civil society organisations (CSOs) for failing to unite in order to fight against the attack towards the valley people.
After the youths shared their views on the present crisis, a group of youths who called themselves ‘Youths of Manipur’ announced their stance and resolution in connection with the present turmoil.
Among the five-point resolutions taken during the gathering, one is that all the CSOs to unite immediately and announce their collective stance on the present turmoil.
The demands of the youths should be materialised within three days, cautioning the concerned authorities to accept any outcome if they fail to fulfil the demands, the gathering declared.
During the gathering, the youths held placards that read, “unite CSOs”, “one voice, one command”, “save us or none can save us”, “we want peace”, “we don’t want violence, don’t invite us to do violence” and others.
It is said that the Youths of Manipur submitted their resolutions to COCOMI, FOCS, AMUCO and other CSOs to unite.
Meanwhile, in another development, the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on September 4 declared its intent to push back the current army barricade situated at Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district to Torbung Wangma, which was earlier announced to be carried out on August 30.
COCOMI media coordinator Somorendro Thokchom revealed during a press conference held at their office in Imphal that the operation is scheduled for September 6, with COCOMI and the local community uniting to carry out the relocation.
He also informed that an ultimatum had been issued, setting August 30 as the deadline for the army barricade to be moved from Phougakchao Ikhai to Torbung Wangma.
As the authority sought a few days for shifting the barricade, COCOMI has been waiting patiently, he said, adding, the step to push back the barricade was taken as the authority failed to convert it into action.
The media coordinator further placed responsibility for any potential repercussions squarely on the state and Central governments. He also urged the people of the state to actively support this initiative, emphasising the importance of public solidarity in the effort to relocate the army barricade.
However, the Youth of Manipur (Manipur gi Nahasing) on September 5 clarified that the body will extend its support to the resolutions and activities collectively made or taken by various civil society organisations (CSOs) of Manipur and not limit its support to a particular organisation or its initiatives.
The Youth of Manipur, in release, refuted the misleading information circulated in a local daily and a local news channel, stating that the COCOMI and the Youth of Manipur have joined forces to storm at Torbung Bangla and asserted that Youth of Manipur made no such declaration.
It reiterated its objective to support and extend solidarity in the initiatives jointly taken by various civil society organisations of Manipur.
Moreover, the Village Volunteers Force (VVF) of Moirang also said that they would not support the move of the COCOMI saying it is not the united move of all the CSOs.
On the other hand, the Coordinating Committee of Manipur Integrity (COCOMI)’s attempt to march up to Torbung along with Meira Paibis and volunteers on September 6 met with stiff resistance from the State and Central forces and had to turn back at Kangvai 9’9 point while the state government had appealed to them to ‘cease and desist’ from the move with the assurance that around 700 Meiteis had already been resettled at Torbung.
Tens of thousands of people gathered and confronted with the security forces pushing towards Torbung Bangla along the Teddim Road.
At least 180 individuals including a video journalist of ANI were injured and taken to hospital after security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at thousands of protesters marching towards barricades placed by the security forces between Moirang and Churachandpur districts with an intention to remove it.
Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba on September 7 said that the attempt to push back the security barricades at Phougakchao Ikhai on September 6 was a moral victory.
Notably, Thawai Mirel Women Wing also has been pressing all the CSOs to unite even by staging Fast-Unto-Death by their members.
A public convention by Thawai Mirel Women Wing on September 7 at Iboyaima Shanglen has urged all civil society organisations in Manipur to unite the CSOs of Manipur and lead the people under one leadership.
While welcoming the call for unity among different CSOs from different sections of the society, COCOMI Coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba said, coming together of CSOs would take time.
COCOMI is an apex body originally formed by different civil society organizations, including AMUCO, CCSK, HERICOUN, LIPUL, UCM and others.
Coordinator Jeetendra said, COCOMI, with the support from people from different areas of Manipur was able to reach Phougakchao Bazar (Kangvai) on September 6 although many people were injured in the action of the combined security forces.
Jeetendra further said that amid the ongoing crisis some groups and individuals are attempting to mislead the people. COCOMI expressed disappointment against such activities as they could demoralize the people of Manipur in the present movement to save Manipur.
He said those who are trying to mislead the people in the present movement to save Manipur will be taken as directly or indirectly helping those who are trying to disintegrate Manipur.
As COCOMI is an apex body formed by various CSOs, any individual or group need not give lessons to the coordinating body regarding the consolidation of CSOs.
A group, ‘Youths of Manipur’, has demanded to join all the groups in order to strengthen the present movement, he said. COCOMI warmly welcomes the demand; however, they should restrain from dictating the CSOs by putting deadlines on certain matters, he mentioned.
Each CSO was formed with a certain ideology and joining together in the complex society of Manipur will be hard; therefore, joining all the CSOs of Manipur will take time, Jeetendra added.
Given the recent develoments, the violent conflict between the Kuki-Zo tribes and the Meiteis, on one part, is being transformed to unite the Civil Society Organisations instead of the actions of the different CSOs add up to peace writ large.
Senior Editor: Imphal Review of Arts and Politics
