Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD) Finance Secretary Sunil Karam has alleged that the 10 Kuki MLAs are opposed to resolving the contentious “frontline” issue and urged the government to take appropriate action if Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand is unable to address the matter.
He was speaking at a public meeting held at Nongpok Panthoibi Sanglen, Pungdongbam, on the occasion of the monthly full-moon gathering. The meeting discussed various public issues, including the demand to defer the Census until the NRC is updated with 1951 as its base year.
Sunil Karam alleged that the Census process could be used to facilitate the inclusion of people who entered the State from across the border as Indian citizens and to strengthen demands for a separate administration.
He maintained that the “frontline” issue should be resolved before the Census is conducted and called for proper verification and scrutiny of people who entered the State from across the border.
JFD volunteers arrested during agitation released
Three volunteers of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), arrested during an agitation at the Porompat SDO Office on September 11, were released today.
The volunteers—Saka Maring, Govind and Seram Surjit—were arrested after JFD members attempted to lock the office as part of their ongoing agitation. Police later removed the lock.
Following their release, the volunteers reiterated their commitment to the JFD movement, saying the agitation would continue until its demands are addressed.
He further alleged that the government had failed to take effective action against those accused of facilitating the settlement of such people in the State.
Sunil Karam also claimed that the 10 Kuki MLAs were opposed to resolving the issue. He said that if the Chief Minister was unable to take the matter forward, the government should take appropriate action against the MLAs.
Meanwhile, JFD Task Force Executive Member Ch. Meghachandra said the ongoing public movement demanding resolution of the “frontline” issue could not be weakened by attempts to suppress or obstruct its leaders.
He warned that continued obstruction of the movement could lead to intensified public anger and resistance, and urged the indigenous people to remain vigilant about the implications of the issue.
Meghachandra questioned the government’s reluctance to conduct the Census only after resolving the “frontline” issue and fixing 1951 as the base year for NRC updation.
He also questioned the government’s discussions with members of the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) in Guwahati, while, according to him, concerns remained over settling people who had entered the State from outside.
He further sought clarification on the alleged opposition to 1951 as the NRC base year in several hill areas. He questioned whether the government would take effective action if the NRC updation resulted in the exclusion of persons whose presence in the State could not be established.