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Imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur and creation of a separate administration for tribals were among the key demands from tribal leaders who met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Churachandpur district on Tuesday, said sources.
Shah is learnt to have assured that the demands would be considered, but asked the leaders to ensure peace for at least a fortnight so that normalcy could return and the talks could be taken forward. Shah also assured an independent probe into the violence by a central agency or judicial committee, said sources.
Shah is on a four-day visit to Manipur to review the security situation in the state and bring warring Kukis and Meiteis together to resolve the turmoil that has affected Manipur since May 3.
In Churachandpur, which was among the worst hit districts, Shah held closed-door meetings with leaders of the Zo-Kuki civil society organisations, tribe representatives and intellectuals. His first round of talks, which lasted for about an hour, was with civil society organisation leaders, student bodies, women groups and tribe leaders.
“He assured a permanent political solution for the tribals of the state while asking for 15 days of peace. As requested, we will maintain peace. But we have to defend ourselves if we are being attacked,” said Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) spokesperson Ginza Vualzong, who was among those who met Shah.
Lal Ngaiteh, spokesperson of the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF), said the tribal bodies put forward several demands, including imposition of President’s Rule and a separate administration. “We also want peace. But we no longer have faith in the Manipur government. We were under the impression that Article 355 had been invoked but it turned out to be a lie,” said Ngaiteh.
Shah also met intellectuals and prominent citizens later to discuss how to ensure return of normalcy. Khamsuan Mung, who attended the second meeting, said the talking points were similar to those at the first meeting.
Besides an independent probe, Shah is reported to have given several other assurances including: selected cases to be taken up by the CBI with no involvement of state officers; rehabilitation for loss of life and property to be transferred via direct benefit; relief material to the state; and helpline numbers in Imphal and Churachandpur.
Shah is also learnt to have assured that he would return to the state for three days in June, and another three days in July.
Educationists and intellectuals also expressed concern about the fate of thousands of students not being able to study because of the violence. They said Shah told them he would speak with the Cabinet Secretary and figure out a way to ensure as little disturbance as possible.
“We also brought up the matter of affiliation of our schools with the CBSE and the affiliation of colleges with central universities so that the future of students displaced from their institutions is not disturbed. The point was well taken by the Home Minister,” Mung said.
Shah arrived in Imphal late on Monday night, and immediately held a meeting with Chief Minister N Biren Singh, senior members of his Cabinet and key security establishment officers. He also met Governor Anusuiya Uikey.
On Tuesday, he arrived at the Churachandpur district headquarters in a chopper around 2.50 pm, and was received by five MLAs – L M Khaute, Paolienlal Haokip, Letzamang Haokip, Chinlunthang and Ngursanglur Sanate.
Soon after his arrival at the 36 Assam Rifles helipad, he headed to the 27 Sector, Assam Rifles at Tuibong. Along the road, several people had formed a human chain, holding up placards with slogans like “We want separate administration”, “No separate administration, no rest”, and “Separation from Manipur our only hope for survival”.
Shah was accompanied by Union MoS for Home Satyanand Rai; BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra; Union Home Secretary A K Bhalla; Assam Rifles DG Lt Gen Pradeep Chandran Nair; IB Director Tapan Kumar Deka; Manipur DGP P Doungel and other central government officials.
During their meeting with Shah, Kuki leaders are learnt to have flagged the losses suffered by their community since May 3, and expressed loss of faith in the government led by Chief Minister Singh. According to sources, they raised 11 demands, including “total separation from Manipur” (separate administration).
Sources said Shah also informed them that the Centre had sent over 30,000 metric tonnes of relief material to Manipur, of which 20,000 metric tonnes would go to the tribals.
Back in Imphal, Shah held an all-party meeting and a security review meeting in the evening.
Shah is likely to meet more people in Manipur’s hill districts on Wednesday. “Union Home Minister will visit Moreh and Kangpokpi areas of Manipur tomorrow. He will interact with the delegations of various local groups in Moreh followed by meeting with Civil Society Organisations in Kangpokpi. Later he will hold a security review meeting in Imphal,” said a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
