Northeast Desk, 11th September: A Bimol Akoijam, Congress MP from Inner Manipur, has written to Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing deep anguish over the escalating violence in Manipur and urging decisive action to restore peace. In his letter, Akoijam called for thorough investigations into the alleged involvement of illegal immigrants, foreign elements, and the illicit drug mafia in the ongoing crisis.
Akoijam likened the current situation in Manipur to the horrors of India’s partition in 1947, describing the ongoing violence as a failure of the current administration. He highlighted the human toll, with hundreds of lives lost and approximately 60,000 people displaced. Many internally displaced persons (IDPs) continue to live in deplorable conditions in relief camps.
Of particular concern to Akoijam were reports of aerial attacks, involving weaponized drones and rockets, as well as incidents of extortion and crime. He questioned whether such violence would have been allowed to persist if it had occurred in “mainland” India, pointing out the apparent neglect of Manipur’s crisis by the central government.
Akoijam urged Shah to ensure that security forces act judiciously to control the violence and investigate allegations of bias within the units. He also called for the swift release of findings from the inquiry committee, headed by former Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajai Lamba, which was established in June 2023.
In his letter, Akoijam stressed the importance of rejecting identity politics, which he believes has fueled the crisis. He also urged the government to prioritize the resettlement of IDPs, ensure safe movement on highways, and address the devastated state economy through fiscal relief measures.
Akoijam called for a review of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki armed groups, warning that the current policy might be contributing to the unrest. He advocated for dialogue and healing processes to address the trauma caused by the violence.
The letter comes amid an intensification of the crisis, with internet services suspended and prohibitory orders imposed in several districts of Manipur. Clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities have resulted in over 200 deaths since May 2023, further deepening the state’s instability.