A public meeting titled “Yelhoumee Singgi Meepham” was held at Ima Panthoibi Laibung in Pangantabi today under the joint initiative of the Western Valley Area (Anal), Western Chandel Foothill Tribal Organisation, SDSC, SEMDO, SWYC, YOP, Meira Paibi Pangantabi, All Manipur Meira Paibi Kakching District, Native People’s Committee Manipur (NPCM) and JFD.
The meeting, attended by a large number of people including leaders of various communities, deliberated on issues relating to the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) prior to the Census, the withdrawal of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between the Government of India and Kuki armed groups under the UPF and KNO, the removal of Assam Rifles from the state, and measures to strengthen the economy of indigenous peoples.
Addressing the gathering, Jeetendra Ningomba, Convenor of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation, alleged that Kuki militants were being protected by the government. He claimed that instead of taking action against armed groups operating against indigenous communities, attention was being directed towards individuals and organisations working for the protection and unity of indigenous peoples.
Jeetendra Ningomba stated that the valley belongs not only to the Meitei community but to all indigenous communities residing in the region. He further alleged that non-indigenous elements were attempting to create divisions and mistrust among indigenous groups in order to weaken their unity and pursue their own interests.
He also said there is a growing demand among the people for the Census exercise to be conducted only after the identification and detection of outsiders, so as to prevent similar issues from recurring in the future.