Politics

Manipur CM, other leaders reach Delhi to discuss prevailing situation with PM Modi, HM Shah

10 tribal MLAs belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi groups indirectly demanded a "separate state" for the tribals

May 15, 2023

Manipur violence: CM N Biren Singh visits Delhi to meet PM Modi, Amit Shah to discuss the situation

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, left for Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other central leaders to discuss the prevailing situation of the state, devastated by the recent ethnic violence.

The Chief Minister’s visit to the national capital assumes significance as the 10 tribal MLAs belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi groups indirectly demanded a “separate state” for the tribals on Friday in the wake of recent violent clashes between the non-tribal Meiteis and the tribals.

Five of the 10 MLAs belong to the BJP, two each from Janata Dal-United and Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) and one is an Independent. The Janata Dal-United, the KPA, and the independent MLAs are also part of the BJP-led alliance government in Manipur.

CM Biren Singh was accompanied by his ministerial colleagues and MLAs. Power, Forest, and Agriculture Minister Biswajit Singh, who is as second in command to Biren Singh, and state BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi also accompanied the Chief Minister.

According to the source, the issue of the ongoing Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Kuki militant outfits of the state is also likely to be discussed besides the ethnic violence and subsequent developments.

Claiming the lives of around 70 people and injuring a few hundred, ethnic violence, clashes, rampant arsoning, indiscriminate vandalization, and random destruction of government and private properties broke out in Manipur after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organized in the 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The violence was preceded by tension and protests over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land and the destruction of poppy cultivation, which had led to a series of agitations at the local level.

The non-tribal Meiteis account for about 53 percent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Valley areas while the tribals belonging to Naga and Kuki communities constitute another 40 percent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

Manipur government’s security advisor Kuldiep Singh said that since May 3, 71 people have died, among which 41 fell prey to the ethnic violence, while others died due to various other causes, including drug overdoses. He said a total of 339 cases of attack and arsoning have been registered.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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