The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his stoic silence on the ethnic violence in Manipur.
“The people are pained that as a guardian of the country you have remained silent on this very sensitive and unfortunate event,” NESO said in the memorandum sent to Modi through the Governor of Manipur.
The memorandum was signed by NESO chairman Samuel B. Jyrwa and general secretary Mutsikhoyo Yhobu.
Seeking the prime minister’s immediate intervention to bring normalcy in the violence hit Manipur, NESO said it was deeply painful to witness the prevailing situation unfold in Manipur which has collapsed into a state of total anarchy as violence and arson continue to engulf most part of the State for over the last three months.
“NESO has on multiple occasions voiced grave concern over the deteriorating situation and the gross human rights violations which are being perpetrated in the absence of the rule of law ever since violence erupted in the State in the first place,” the memorandum said.
It also said that despite the presence of over 40,000 central forces currently stationed in Manipur in concerted effort with the State police, wherein Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has also intervened, yet the situation is still volatile and normalcy is yet to return in the State.
In the memorandum, the NESO mentioned that the prime minister is well aware that the present conflict has already cost hundreds of lives while irreparable damages have also been caused upon the age-old ties and relationships among multiple communities beyond borders and state boundaries.
“The intricate balance of relationship and co-existence among the diverse communities in the region is being threatened due to the nature of violence and if the issue is not dealt with utmost sincerity and without further delay, the subsequent fallout will have a long term negative impact which could disrupt the peace and stability in the entire North East region,” the NESO added.
While appealing for immediate cessation of all forms of violence, arson and disharmony in Manipur, NESO mentioned about the plight of students who are worst affected by this terrifying event. It requested Modi “to find out ways and means to help and ameliorate their situation so that it will not have any adverse impact on their career”.
According to NESO, the positive intervention by the prime minister “will aid in bridging the gap between the conflicting communities and compensate for the damage inflicted upon the age-old ties and covenants in order to bring about a life of dignity for all people”.
NESO also submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey urging her to see that peace return to the State of Manipur at the earliest.
The same memorandum was also submitted to Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh.
It may be mentioned that NESO recently visited trouble torn Manipur. During the visit, the North East students’ leaders visited three relief camps housing displaced Meiteis in Moirang village, Bishnupur District, Bishnupur town, and Ideal Girls College in Imphal. They also interacted with many displaced Meiteis from Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal districts.
The NESO team traveled from Imphal to Churachandpur Lamka, passing through many affected villages where there is a huge military presence without any civilians. The NESO delegation was received by leaders of the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF), and others in Kangvai village.
In Churachandpur (Lamka) town, NESO met the civil society organisations of the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar communities. The delegation, along with the students’ bodies, visited a relief camp for displaced Zo persons. The displaced Zos are mostly from Imphal, Bishnupur and other districts. Here also many women, children and elderly persons were housed.
The delegation were able to visit only one relief camp for the Zo people and they had to leave the area due to tension along the Churachandpur-Bishnupur border.
