In a significant move aimed at fostering unity and efficient governance, ten legislators hailing from the Kuki-Zomi tribes of Manipur, including seven from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have presented a pioneering memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This progressive proposal seeks the establishment of novel administrative posts, akin to the esteemed roles of Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP), exclusively dedicated to overseeing the well-being and progress of the five hill districts inhabited by their tribal communities, as reported by Hindustan Times.
The backdrop of this visionary initiative stems from the escalating ethnic tensions that have shaken Manipur, where the Kuki tribes, predominating in the hill districts, have historically faced strife with the Meiteis, who hold sway over the Imphal Valley. The discord, which tragically resulted in the loss of nearly 160 lives and displaced over 50,000 people, has not only strained communal relations but also disrupted the fabric of the administrative and police structures along community lines.
The legislators, who had initially advocated for an autonomous administrative unit for the Kuki people, have recalibrated their approach, emphasizing the dire necessity for specially designated senior administrative positions. This shift is prompted by the harrowing realization that the state capital, Imphal, has become an epicenter of turmoil and desolation for the Kuki-Zo populace.
Highlighting the dire predicament faced by even esteemed officers belonging to the Kuki-Zo tribes, the legislators elaborated in their comprehensive three-page memorandum that, "Even IAS, MCS, IPS, and MPS officers from our communities find themselves impeded in their duties due to the adversities in Imphal Valley, which has regrettably turned into a valley of sorrow for us."
To address these pressing challenges and to facilitate an optimal administrative environment for their constituents, the legislators are earnestly appealing for the immediate creation of positions akin to the Chief Secretary and DGP. This progressive step, they contend, is instrumental not only in remedying the predicaments faced by government employees hailing from the Kuki-Zo tribes but also in efficaciously governing the districts they inhabit.
Moreover, the memorandum encompasses a comprehensive perspective, encompassing the imperative for the establishment of key senior-level roles across both the civil and police sectors, underscoring the pursuit of public welfare.
In a show of solidarity with their affected communities, the legislators have additionally beseeched the Prime Minister to allocate ₹500 crores from the PM’s Relief Fund to support the rehabilitation endeavors aimed at ameliorating the lives of Kuki-Zo individuals who have been uprooted from their homes and livelihoods due to the tragic clashes.
The ramifications of these clashes have been profound, with a mass exodus of Kuki residents from Imphal Valley to the neighboring hill districts, while Meitei inhabitants of those regions have sought refuge within the valley. Currently, around 50,000 individuals from both communities find themselves residing in relief camps, emblematic of the urgent need for cohesive societal healing.
Tragically, the ethnic schisms have even permeated the government apparatus and law enforcement, leading to stark divisions and isolation along ethnic lines. In a stark illustration of this divide, stringent checkpoints and impassable blockades, managed by determined women and "defence volunteers," have materialized, hindering any cross-community movement and underscoring the profound societal rift.
The legislators' memorandum poignantly highlights instances of targeted aggression against their community members within Imphal Valley. On May 4, Vungzagin Valte, a dedicated BJP MLA representing the Kuki community, fell victim to a vicious mob attack as he made his way home following a meeting with Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Further exacerbating the situation, on June 14, a malevolent mob set fire to the residence of Nemcha Kipgen, the singular female minister in the state cabinet, situated in Lamphel within the Imphal West district.
