IT News
Imphal, Mar 7:
Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to establish a mechanism facilitating sincere dialogue between credible civil society groups representing both the Kuki-Zo tribes and the Meitei community to address the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
In a letter addressed to PM Modi, Singh, without directly naming individuals, lamented that Manipur continues to be deprived of peace and normalcy due to the actions of “a few political leaders, a handful of armed groups, and wrongly motivated scoundrels.”
RK Ranjan emphasized the importance of ensuring that civil society organizations (CSOs) from both sides engage in negotiations free from coercion or influence by armed militias and insurgents. He proposed initiating a people-to-people contact movement through CSOs to foster understanding and dialogue between the Meiteis and the Kukis.
Singh suggested involving reputable CSOs like the Manipur Cultural Integration Conference to spearhead negotiations for a practical and amicable solution under the patronage of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Highlighting the futility of violence in resolving issues, RK Ranjan stressed the necessity of peaceful negotiation led by peace-loving citizens, rather than relying on arms and bullets.
The Union Minister also underscored the need for enhanced border security along the India-Myanmar border, drawing from his past experiences and emphasizing the effectiveness of the Border Security Force (BSF) in maintaining border integrity and preventing intrusions and smuggling activities.
Singh’s remarks come in the backdrop of escalating ethnic violence in Manipur, fueled by disputes over land, resources, political representation, and affirmative action policies. The crisis has persisted for 10 months, resulting in over 180 casualties and the internal displacement of thousands.
