IT News
Imphal, April 23:
The proscribed armed group, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), will mark its 31st Foundation Day on April 25. Ahead of the observance, the group’s Chairman, N. Oken, extended greetings to the people of the Western South East Asia (WESEA) region and expressed hopes for peace and stability in Manipur.
In a statement released to the media, N. Oken conveyed his deep concern over the prolonged suffering of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state. He noted that nearly 70,000 individuals have been living in relief camps for the past 24 months due to ongoing ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meetei communities. The Chairman prayed for the safe return of IDPs to their homes and a restoration of normalcy.
The KYKL Chairman took the opportunity to reflect on what he termed as a “dark chapter” in Manipur’s history, marked by widespread violence, displacement, and deaths. He claimed that approximately 260 people have lost their lives, 12 individuals have reportedly died in custody, and 35 more have disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
According to Oken, the events unfolding in Manipur are not isolated incidents but the outcome of a larger, coordinated strategy. He alleged that a “mastermind” is orchestrating the situation from behind the scenes, while accusing the Indian government of employing misleading and contradictory approaches under the guise of restoring peace.
Oken criticized the Indian authorities for what he described as “incoherent and inconsistent” efforts to resolve the conflict. He said that multiple and conflicting statements from central leaders have only fueled public confusion and mistrust. He further accused security forces of operating without coordination or a clear chain of command, often appearing to favor one side over the other.
The Chairman also alleged that the Central government’s handling of the situation lacks a genuine humanitarian framework. He cited incidents of entire villages being burned down, environmental damage from counter-insurgency operations, and an unchecked flow of arms across the Myanmar border. He claimed these actions reflect a deeper, strategic agenda rather than efforts aimed at peace-building.
Calling for a re-evaluation of Manipur’s position within the Indian Union, Oken stated that the current paradigm of governance — framed by what he described as colonial logic — is incapable of addressing the state’s deep-rooted issues. He noted that the people of Manipur are experiencing a “paradigm shift” in their perception of the Indian state, which he characterized as increasingly distant and disconnected from local realities.
In the latter part of the statement, the Chairman expanded on historical grievances, referring to the controversial merger of Manipur with India in 1949. He argued that systemic marginalization has continued since then, leading to economic distress, broken governance, and the erosion of public trust.
The statement concluded by calling for a grassroots-driven social movement that can rebuild hope and reclaim political agency, while urging citizens to critically assess the role of the Indian state in the ongoing crisis.
