IMPHAL: As sectarian strife continues to afflict Manipur, a group of 10 legislators of the state Assembly has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking separate administrative posts and Director General of Police (DGP) in the Kuki-Zo majority, five hill districts of the state. The MLAs have also advocated for the establishment of similar key senior-level roles within the civil and police departments.
In the detailed three-page memorandum, the group of MLAs, including seven from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), informed PM Modi about the challenges faced by the high-ranking administrative officials of the Kuki-Zo community due to the precarious security conditions.
“To address the plight of Kuki-Zo government employees and to ensure effective administration in our inhabited districts, we earnestly request the immediate creation of positions equivalent to the chief secretary and DGP,” stated the memorandum.
The memorandum also conveyed a financial plea, requesting an allocation of Rs 500 crore from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. This fund, they propose, should be dedicated to rehabilitating the Kuki-Zomi population, who have endured displacement and loss of homes and livelihoods due to the ongoing clashes.
Notable, earlier in May, this group had urged PM Modi for “separate administration” for the five districts.
The proposal, however, has ignited a political firestorm. Another 40 MLAs from the state too have written a letter to the Prime Minister, demanding the annulment of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with Kuki militant groups and the introduction of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the region.
The stance of these MLAs emphasises their opposition to the concept of “separate administration” sought by Kuki groups, deeming it as unacceptable.
Meanwhile, security forces in Manipur on Wednesday, recovered eight firearms and 112 rounds of ammunition. Additionally, six explosive devices were seized from various districts, namely Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, and Imphal West.
