NESO Resents Centre’s Attitude to NE
North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) on August 3 lambasted the Central government for allegedly remaining mute and failing to take any concrete measures to rein in the three-month-long violent conflict which had engulfed Manipur.
NESO added that the step-motherly treatment of the Prime Minister in resolving the Manipur issue had built resentment among the indigenous people of Northeast India.
The organisation demanded authorities concerned to take a more proactive role and stop the unending violence which has completely derailed the state.
An 18-member NESO delagation had been on a two-day goodwill visit to Manipur since August 1 to assess the ground reality of the violent conflict. During the visit, the team went to four relief camps- two each in Churachandpur and the valley.
Speaking to the media at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, NESO chairperson Samuel Jyrwa highlighted that the team had submitted a memorandum to the Manipur Governor in connection with the observations made during the visit. “We also passed on the memorandum to the Prime Minister through the governor. In the memorandum, we have expressed the resentment of the entire indigenous North East community over the continued silence of the central government and their delay to resolve the crisis,” he said.
Such crisis calls for proactive measures from the authorities but actions are a far cry in Manipur, he added.
Mass Burial Plan at Disputed Torbung Site Stalled
Even as a sea of womenfolk from different parts of Imphal Valley stormed at Bishnupur’s Torbung area, coupled with an early morning High Court order stopped a planned mass burial of 35 Kuki-Zomis at an area in Torbung Bangla on August 3.
At least 25 women sustained injuries in the action of Assam Rifles (AR), Rapid Action Force (RAF) to disperse the women agitators who protested against the planned mass burial of 35 persons of Kuki-Zomi tribes at Torbung Bangla in Bishnupur district on August 3.
The personnel of AR and RAF fired tear gas shells, smoke bombs, pepper spray and even allegedly assaulted women with gun butts to disperse the mob and to stop them from approaching Torbung Bangla. The Assam Rifles even blank fired to disperse the protestors, reports said.
In the late afternoon of the day of protest against mass burial at Torbung Bangla area, a woman belonging to Pangal community was hurt in Kuki militants’ firing. The woman who was hurt in Kuki militants’ firing has been identified as Aribam Wahida Bibi (35), wife of A Abdul Barik of Kwakta Ward No 5. She was taken to Moirang Community Health Centre (CHC) and then referred to Raj Medicity later.
She was preparing vegetables at her home when a bullet struck her left hand. The Kuki militants’ attack on civilians at Kwakta and Terakhongsangbi area came at around 4.30 pm, reports added.
A large number of womenfolk from all over had gathered at Bishnupur’s Phougakchao Ikhai and Tronglaobi area since August 2 to protest the planned mass burial of deceased Kuki-Zomi “militants” at Torbung Bangla.
Several media reports said there was a plan to bury at least 35 bodies at Torbung which drew strong opposition from the Meiteis.
While the womenfolk planned to proceed towards Torbung Bangla, a large number of Assam Rifles and other Central security forces blocked them at Phougakchao Mayai Leikai area near Kangvai Bazar.
As the number of the protesters grew manifold, at around 8 am on August 3, the Assam Rifles personnel and the Central Security forces fired live rounds, tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd.
While tear gas shells hit and injured some women, some fell on the ground during the commotion. At least 25 women were hurt. They were taken to different hospitals in Bishnupur and Imphal.
The Assam Rifles and Central security forces then arranged layers of blockades using military and other vehicles on the road.
While all these were taking place, Kuki-Zomi militants from Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai and Kwakta fired several rounds of bullets towards Meitei settlements resulting in a gunfight with Manipur police commandos. Sporadic gunfights took place at several places in the border area between Bishnupur and Churachandpur, reports said.
MHA Intervention
Earlier this week, however, the ITLF announced that the 35 would be buried on August 3 in a “final tribute to the tribal martyrs”. The location where the burial was planned to be held is in Torbung, an area at the border of the Kuki-Zomi dominated Churachandpur district and the Meitei dominated Bishnupur district. Significantly, Torbung is also where violence first broke out on May 3 before spreading to other parts of the State.
The choice of mass burial site at Torbung set off alarms among security personnel and the Ministry of Home Affairs, with apprehensions of a possible escalation of tensions and violence because of the contested nature of the territory. The night of August 2 and 3 saw meetings taking place into the early hours of the morning among Kuki-Zomi organisations and security authorities and the Ministry of Home Affairs, with the latter pushing the outfits to reconsider the planned programme, reports added.
The Government of India (GOI) in a letter written in the morning of August 3 by the Minister of State for Home Affairs Chidanand Rai to both the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) expressed that the Government of India is seized of the issue of last rites of mortal remains of those killed in the ethnic violence in Manipur. The GOI appeals to all concerned to maintain peace and communal harmony and assures that it will spare no efforts to resolve the issue amicably to the utmost satisfation of all the parties within a period of seven days.
Manipur HC Order
In the meantime, another set of wheels was turning to put a stop to the planned programme. On Wednesday (August 2), an organisation called the International Meeteis Forum filed a PIL in the Manipur High Court to stop Kuki-Zomi organisations from using the location as a burial site, stating that it is Government land where a sericulture farm is located.
While the matter was to be placed before the Acting Chief Justice at 10.30 am, a hearing was held next morning at 6 am on August 3 after the Deputy Attorney General requested that the case be taken up urgently, stating that “in and around the land in question, a big mob from both communities have gathered and at any moment, violence may take place.”
The Court directed that status quo of the land in question be maintained till the next date of hearing on August 9, “taking into consideration the potentiality of aggravating the already volatile law and order situation and the possibility of igniting a fresh wave of violence and bloodshed…”
ITLF Statement
Early on August 3 morning, the ITLF issued a statement that it had decided to delay the burial by five days “on the request of the Home Minister”.
“The MHA had requested us to postpone by a week, telling us that they will let us bury it there then and that they will legalise the use of the land concerned as a burial site,” claimed an ITLF leader.
On the morning of August 3, instead of the burial, a memorial programme was held for the dead in Churachandpur town.
Women Protestors Storm Raj Bhavan, CM’s Bungalow
Condemning the alleged unwarranted actions of central forces against the womenfolk who stormed the Torbung area in protest against the planned mass burial Kuki-Zomi militants at Torbung Bangla, several women on their way back stormed Raj Bhavan and Chief Minister’s bungalow, demanding the complete removal of central security forces from Manipur.
No untoward incidents were reported in the incident. To voice their concerns, three representatives of the womenfolk were permitted to meet the governor.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Secretary of All Yairipok Apunba Ima Lup Matouleibi Maibam denounced the alleged brutal manhandling of women protestors by central paramilitary forces. Several women sustained injuries because of their unwarranted actions; they are undergoing treatment at various hospitals, she added.
She alleged that the RAF and paramilitary forces manhandled the women and even electrified the temporary fencing which was placed to ward off the protestors.
She informed that the governor had been apprised of the incidents which took place on August 3 at Kangvai and added that the governor had assured to visit Torbung Bangla along with womenfolk within two-three days, reports added.
Tribute Paid To 6th MR Jawan Rishikumar
A solemn tribute was paid to jawan Tourangbam Rishikumar, who served in the 6th Battalion Manipur Rifles (MR). Along with paying rich floral tributes, the corpse of Tourangbam Rishikumar was given full state honours at Manipur Police Memorial at 1st MR, on August 4.
The corpse of rifleman Rishikumar was brought to the Manipur Police Memorial from RIMS mortuary by family members and officials of 6th MR where floral tributes were offered. Personnel of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles also paid gun salute to Rishikumar after which the mortal remain was taken to his hometown in Wangjing Lamding in Thoubal district.
Rishikumar was killed in exchange for fire between State Security Forces and Kuki militants in the adjoining areas of Senjam Chirang and Koutruk in the early hours on August 3.
He was hit by a bullet suspected to be fired from a sniper rifle which passed through his head, while another village volunteer received a minor bullet injury on his ear, the sources said.
Rishikumar was admitted to Raj Medicity Hospital, North AOC and later succumbed to his injury at around 8 pm, reports added.
Mourning the loss of the jawan, Manipur Director General of Police, Rajiv Singh, expressed his condolences and assured that the state forces would continue their efforts in combating militants. Director General Singh also conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family of the fallen soldier. In an appeal to the public, the DGP urged them to extend their cooperation and support to the police and security personnel in their mission to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries and officials, including Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo, Lamlai MLA Ibomcha, Khangabok MLA Okram Surjakumar, as well as top officials from the Border Security Force (BSF) and Police.
During the ceremony, attendees paid their respects by offering floral tributes, followed by a customary gun salute to honor the sacrifice of the slain soldier. The ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform to safeguard the state and its people, and it further emphasized the importance of collective efforts to ensure lasting peace and security in the region.
Justice Shishak No More
Former Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh High Court; and former Chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) W A Shishak passed away on Thursday (August 3) evening.
Justice (Retired) W A Shishak, who was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh on December 4, 2000 breathed his last at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal. He was 82.
Born on January 1, 1941 at Shangshak village in Ukhrul district, Manipur W A Shishak graduated from Gauhati University in 1963 and completed LLB from Delhi University in 1965.
After graduation in Law, W A Shishak, joined the judicial service in March, 1967 at the Gauhati High Court. He later shifted from Gauhati to Nagaland in 1970 and served as Senior Government Advocate for seven years (from 1975 till 1983).
W A Shishak served as the Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh from December 5, 2000 till January 15, 2002. W A Shishak was sworn in as a Judge in the Gauhati Court on January 2, 1989 and High Court Judge in 1989. He served as the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2002. W A Shishak retired on January 1, 2003.
The MHRC on August 4 extended heartfelt condolences over the untimely demise of former MHRC Chairperson, Justice W A Shishak and also shared the grief of the bereaved family members.
Officials and staff of MHRC, led by its chairperson, Justice UB Saha, eulogised WA Shishak, who served as Chairperson of MHRC from September 23, 2003 till May 9, 2010, for his prodigious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the people and the society, stated a release. The demise of such a great leader is an irreparable loss not only for MHRC but also to the state, it said.
Kuki-Zomi Womenfolk Plead AR To Stay
Hundreds of Kuki-Zomi womenfolk in Kangpokpi district in Manipur “cried, prayed and pleaded” with Assam Rifles troops not to leave a village bordering the Meitei-majority Imphal West, given the volatile situation in the buffer zone between the two districts.
The women staged a 12-hour dharna at Gamgiphai village, about 17km from the Kangpokpi district headquarters, from midnight on August 2 after they came to know that the Assam Rifles personnel deployed in the peripheral area had been shifted to Churachandpur, over 110km away, by the state government.
From midnight till early morning, Kangpokpi town rang with chants of “Assam Rifles Don’t Leave Us”, “Assam Rifles We Need You” and “Assam Rifles Zindabad” by Kuki-Zomi women. Videos of incident also went viral on social media.
As a proposed plan of Assam Rifles withdrawing from the buffer zones in Kangpokpi district reached their ears late in the night, Kuki-Zo women began to gather in large numbers in Kangpokpi town and began protests along NH 2 against the ‘plan’ with chants.
The women were seen falling on the feet of the Commanding Officer of the 22 Assam Rifles, weeping, crying, and pleading not to leave them.
MPCC Welcomes SC’s Stay Order On Rahul Gandhi Conviction
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on August 4 welcomed the Supreme Court’s stay order on the conviction of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the ‘Modi Surname’ criminal defamation case filed in 2019 in Gujarat.
MPCC maintained that the Indian democratic principles had been on the decline ever since dispensation of BJP government but the Supreme Court’s verdict rekindled the torch of justice and Indian democracy.
Speaking to the media at Congress Bhavan, Imphal, MPCC president K Meghachandra stated that the apex court’s decision to stay the conviction of Rahul Gandhi highlighted the court’s stance to protect truth and justice in the country.
“Supreme Court’s decision to stay the conviction verdict given by the Surat sessions court in 2019 is a monumental achievement for the Indian democratic principles; the present government has been on a rampage to suppress the various institutions under its belt but the SC’s verdict has showcased truth and justice was still alive and well in India,” he said.
Amit Shah Assures NPP Delegation Solution to Manipur Crisis
In a significant development, the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah on August 4 assured a delegation from the National People’s Party (NPP) that held a crucial meeting with him a sustainable solution to the Manipur crisis.
The delegation comprised of prominent members including Rajya Sabha MP of Meghalaya Wanweiroy Kharlukhi; Lok Sabha MP of Meghalaya Agatha K Sangma; Kshetrigao Assembly Constituency MLA and NPP’s National Secretary (Political Affairs) Sheikh Noorul Hassan; and Kakching Assembly Constituency MLA Mayanglambam Rameshwar Singh.
The primary agenda of the meeting was to address the alarming and distressing situation prevailing in the state of Manipur.
With a firm commitment to restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur, the team proposed a series of steps to the Union Home Minister. They earnestly requested his intervention to bring back peace and stability in the state, acknowledging the significance of working hand in hand with the central government to accomplish this critical goal and bring hope back into the lives of the people of Manipur, reports said.
In response, the Union Home Minister assured the delegation that the government is determined to provide sustainable solutions to the ongoing conflict in Manipur. This assurance comes as a glimmer of hope for the people of the state who have been enduring hardships due to the prevailing situation.
The nation now looks forward to the positive outcomes of this crucial dialogue and the joint efforts of the National People’s Party and the central government in fostering peace and harmony in Manipur, the report added.
Cabinet Recommends Governor To Convene Assembly Session On August 21
While the Coordinating Commitee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), Congress, other political parties and people of the state have been ing for a Special Session of State Assembly latest by August 5 on the current violent conflict, the Manipur cabinet on Friday (August 4) recommended Governor Anusuiya Uikey to convene a session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly from August 21. The previous assembly session was held in March.
“The State Cabinet has recommended to the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur for summoning the 4th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on the 21st August, 2023,” an official statement said.
Among others, the Congress had earlier urged Governor Uikey to convene an emergency session of the assembly to discuss the “ongoing unprecedented turmoil” in the state.
“The assembly is the most appropriate forum to discuss the situation and get suggestions on how to restore peace in the state rocked by ethnic strife since early May,” the state’s five Congress MLAs said in a letter to the governor last month.
Three Villagers Killed In Kwakta
In fresh escalation of violence in Manipur, three people from the Meitei community were killed in the early hours of Saturday (August 5) by Kuki militants at Kwakta Lamkhai in Bishnupur district, Manipur, sources said.
The incident has sparked off tensions once again in the area at the border of the Meitei-dominated Bishnupur district and the Kuki-Zomi dominated Churachandpur district, where firing is currently ongoing. Kwakta itself is at the border of the two districts.
Sources said that the dead included a father-son duo. The three belonging to the Meitei community were allegedly gunned down while they were sleeping and later slashed with swords. The deceased have been identified as Yumnam Jiten Meitei, 46, son of late Yumnam Ibohal, Yumnam Premkumar Meitei, 39 and his father Yumnam Pishak Meitei, 67 of Kwakta Lamkhai of Kwakta Municipal Ward No.8.
Soon after the incident, an irate mob gathered at Kwakta and wanted to head towards Churachandpur but was stopped by security personnel, sources said.
“Three persons including one policeman were injured following heavy exchange of fire between state forces and militants near Kwakta on Saturday morning. The policeman sustained splinter injuries on his face. All the three have been brought to Raj Medicity in Imphal for treatment. They are out of danger,” sources added.
