Kuki MLAs demanding separate state under pressure: Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh

IMPHAL: Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Rajkumar Ranjan Singh told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that, in complete dismay and frustration, Kuki leaders, including their 10 MLAs, have demanded a separate political administration (equivalent to a separate state) for the tribals.

Singh said the demand was made under tremendous pressure from various quarters, including the militants.

Singh, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency, said in a letter to the Prime Minister that demanding a separate political administration (equivalent to a separate state) is a very dangerous proposition for a small state with 35 ethnic groups.

"Peaceful co-existence should be the norm; Naga-Kuki conflict or Meitei-Pangan (Muslim) clash, and now Meitei-Kuki riot, must be treated as aberrations. These should be curbed and controlled by a strong hand. No balkanization on ethnic lines should be encouraged at any cost," the Union Minister said.

He said that since May 3, for a few days, there has been complete chaos and trust has vanished in thin air between the two communities—Meiteis and Kukis.

Noting that the Manipur situation must be dealt with with a humane touch without any ethnic bias, Singh said, "Let us not allow anyone to do fishing in the troubled water. It is not about how many Kukis or Meiteis have died or how many Meitei houses or Kuki houses were torched. It is a very unfortunate humanitarian crisis caused by immature minds."

According to the minister, in the recent ethnic violence in Manipur, so far, 71 people have been killed and 300 injured, including police personnel, some grievously. Of the 16 districts of the state, 11 were affected, out of which 6 were badly impacted.

Over 25,000 people were displaced, nearly 1,700 houses were burned, and more than 200 vehicles were destroyed. In his letter, accessed by IANS, the Union Minister said that violent mobs burn and destroy everything on their way. "It was largely due to action-reaction syndrome. It was impossible for the local police to control the rioters until the Army and paramilitary forces arrived and intervened. In fact, it was a clash between the two communities triggered by a peaceful rally that turned suddenly violent."

Singh said that demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status by the Meitei community in a peaceful manner should not be a problem for others, and again, a peaceful protest by the tribal against this move should not be an issue, as these things are happening in other parts of the country.

"We are not to blame any community or ethnic group. We want to live in peace with all the ethnic groups or communities."

Saying that the state government has announced some relief and compensation for victims and sufferers, Singh demanded financial compensation from the central government.

He said that the houses, vehicles, and properties burned may be compensated with the centre's aid.

Demanding the continuance of the deployment of Army and paramilitary forces in Manipur until restoration of peace and complete normalcy, Singh said that the trust deficit is at its nadir.

"Peaceful co-existence is the only mantra for a tiny multi-ethnic society like ours. Bifurcation or trifurcation of the state on communal or ethnic lines should not be encouraged."

"All issues and demands can be sorted out in an amicable manner. A peaceful solution is possible only when we sit together and discuss. Here, the centre's role as jury and arbiter will be appreciated," Singh pointed out. (IANS)

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