Northeast Desk, 15th September: Today, the Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC), along with the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), Meitei Alliance, and Global Manipur Federation (GMF), organized a significant protest at Jantar Mantar, urging an end to the ongoing violence in Manipur. The demonstration called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and safeguard the historical and cultural integrity of Manipur, which has been plagued by conflict since May 2023.
The protest was triggered by recent escalations in violence, including aerial bombings and rocket attacks by Kuki militants. Notable incidents include a drone attack in Koutruk, Imphal East, on September 1, 2024, which resulted in the death of Surbala, a 31-year-old mother of two. Another attack on September 6 targeted Moirang Phiwangbam Leikai in Bishenpur district, killing an elderly man and injuring six others, including a 13-year-old girl. Additionally, a rocket strike damaged the residence of Manipur’s first Chief Minister, Mairembam Koireng Singh.
The DMCC criticized both the central and state governments for their perceived inaction and condemned the use of violence as a political tool by Kuki separatists. The protestors highlighted ongoing ethnic cleansing and military aggression by Kuki forces against the Meetei community, which they claim is exacerbating sectarian tensions and hindering peace efforts.
The protest also touched upon international factors, including cross-border terrorism and drug cartels, which they argue contribute to the violence. Accusations were made against the Indian government for failing to protect civilians and for allegedly targeting the Meetei community while permitting Kuki protests to continue unimpeded.
In their memorandum to the Prime Minister, the DMCC demanded immediate action to dismantle Kuki bunkers, end the perceived appeasement policy, and restore peace and coexistence. The group called for a thorough investigation into alleged partisan actions by security agencies and stressed the need for accountability and trust-building between the conflicting communities.
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