Imphal, A coalition of ten Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Manipur, including eight from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have come forward with severe criticism of the use of excessive force by the Manipur Police against the Kuki-Zo community. The incidents, occurring since the second and third of November, have drawn sharp criticism amid ongoing ethnic tensions in the state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the group of MLAs has released a public statement denouncing the actions of the law enforcement, which allegedly involved molestation and assault on members of the Kuki-Zo community. They highlighted a pattern of human rights violations, referencing a similar crackdown on protests in late September, which had followed the murder of two Meitei students and the contentious use of pellet guns by the police.
The legislators, in their joint statement, also extended condolences for the death of a police officer reportedly killed by a Kuki militant on October 31 near the India-Myanmar border, while simultaneously condemning the police’s aggressive tactics, especially by the commando units.
The MLAs’ statement provided a stark commentary on the ethnic strife: “Our people can no longer exist under Manipur as the hatred against our tribal community reached such a height that … To live amidst the Meitei again is as good as death for our people.”
Concurrently, protests against the violence and calling for government intervention have been taking place, with a notable sit-in at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on November 3, involving Kuki-Zo tribal groups and other organizations demanding a separate administration for tribal areas.
The ongoing conflict has also echoed in the southern state of Kerala, with the Syro-Malabar Church’s editorial sharply criticizing BJP leaders for their comments and stance on the Manipur situation, revealing the nationwide resonance of the conflict.
The state continues to endure a government-enforced mobile internet ban, justified by potential misuse for “anti-social activities”, despite Chief Minister N. Biren Singh hinting at a possible lift in the near future. The ban has been in place intermittently since May 3, when the ethnic violence originally escalated, leading to significant casualties and displacement.
The Manipur crisis, involving a complex interplay between the majority Meiteis and minority Kuki tribe, has seen more than 180 deaths and displaced approximately 60,000 people, underscoring the urgency for a resolution. The ten MLAs have issued a stark call for immediate Union government intervention as the crisis shows no signs of diminishing.