IT News
Imphal, June 30:
The Indigenous Peoples Front of Manipur has demanded that Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the public for statements he made during his visits to Manipur. Rahul Gandhi incorrectly described the recent violence in Manipur as a clash between two communities in the national media a few days ago. This portrayal is completely incorrect and derogatory to the Meitei community. This was stated in a press release by IPFM’s advisor, Jagat Thoudam.
The press release further stated that the Meiteis have a vibrant culture and a strong commitment to democracy, making it unjustifiable to label them as a communal group involved in ethnic conflicts. Their journey as a civilization transcends the boundaries of ethnicity, caste, and gender, advocating for a united Manipur.
Jagat Thoudam expresses the view that the conflict in Manipur does not involve a confrontation between tribal and non-tribal communities. It is important to note that all tribes affiliated with Naga groups, as well as the Thadou tribe, which is the largest tribe from the Kuki-Chin group, are not participating in the violence. He further expressed that the conflict in Manipur should not be viewed as a religious divide between Christians and non-Christians. It is essential to observe the surroundings, as the churches in Imphal remain intact. Take a moment to look around, and you will see prominent churches such as the Kuki Baptist Convention, the Tangkhul Baptist Church, the Manipur Baptist Convention Church, and many others standing strong in the heart of Imphal. However, it is important to acknowledge that houses belonging to Meitei Christians in Churachandpur, Moreh, Ekou, Motbung, and other areas dominated by the Kuki community have been subjected to arson and the inhabitants forcibly expelled from their homes. This has been carried out by Kuki militant outfits and their supporters, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), which manipulates the term “indigenous” to assert territorial claims. Consequently, Meitei Christians have tragically become refugees within their own state.
The press release further states that the present violence is an aggression by Kuki militant outfits and their supporters, including Kuki intellectuals, to protect Illegal immigrants, Poppy Cultivation, and Drug smuggling. So it’s important to note that poppy cultivation often employs a significant number of Myanmarese citizens (illegal immigrants), as local farmers have yet to acquire the necessary skills for this type of cultivation.
