BJP Kuki MLAs urge Centre, state to take steps to restore normalcy, plan protest in Capital

A group of Kuki MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have urged the Centre and state governments to undertake measures to restore normalcy in state and announced that they may hold a joint protest in Delhi against the CM over the ongoing violence in the state.

The 10 BJP Kuki MLAs have denounced the Manipur Government’s Cabinet resolution adopted on November 19, saying that it was approved in their absence.

According to the resolution, the state Cabinet had resolved to start mass operations against Kuki militants responsible for the killing of six persons in Jiribam within seven days; and sought to declare Kuki militants responsible for the killings as an 'unlawful organisation' within seven days". It further stressed that the Kuki militants responsible for taking them hostage and killing them be designated a terrorist group.

In a joint statement signed by them, the legislators asserted that the Centre and state government must take all necessary steps to restore normalcy in Manipur by initiating political dialogue in order to bring lasting peace in the troubled region.

The MLAs also condemned the attack, burning and looting of the houses and properties of their fellow MLAs by the frenzied Meitei mobs. They further said that a high-powered committee should investigate into the role of political parties, individuals and Meitei CSO leaders -- who have secessionist mindset and are taking undue advantage of the situation.

They added that they were also planning to hold a joint protest in Delhi against the Manipur Chief Minister and the ongoing violence in the state in early December.

The statement further said, “The imposition of AFSPA as per orders, dated November 14, 2024, indeed needs immediate review to extend the Act in the remaining 13 police jurisdictions within Manipur or the Imphal valley to facilitate the recovery of over 6,000 sophisticated weapons looted by the Meitei militia since May 3, 2023. This is a long overdue action that is required to contain the violence.”

Stating that mass operation against only one community reflects “biasedness”, the MLAs further asserted that mass operations must be conducted all over the state to recover all illegal arms from all militia groups.

The MLAs also criticised the state government’s decision to hand over cases related to the death of six civilians to the NIA. “We recommend that all civilian killings since May 3, 2023, both in the valley and hills be handed over to the NIA,” the statement added.