Joint Representation to PM by Hmar Inpui & Zomi Council Supporting Tripartite Talks

A JOINT REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED TO THE HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA THROUGH THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, CHURACHANDPUR BY HMAR INPUI AND ZOMI COUNCIL ON 8 AUGUST, 2017 IN SUPPORT OF THE ON-GOING TRIPARTITE TALKS

Hon’ble Sir,

At the outset, the Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council and all its constituent civil society organisations (CSOs) would like to express our sincere gratitude to the NDA Government under your able leadership for your sincere efforts to bring a permanent political solution in Manipur.

It is encouraging to know that the Government of India, the Government of Manipur and the Suspension of Operation (SoO) groups in Manipur – namely, the United People’s Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) will be sitting for the third round of tripartite talks on 9th August, 2017 in New Delhi. It is also immensely satisfying to note that the Union Government has appointed Shri Dineshwar Sharma, former Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB), as an interlocutor for SoO groups.

In this regard, may we draw your kind attention to the following points:

1. Need for Immediate Political Solution:

That, immediate political solution is the need of the hour in Manipur to end decades of violence and conflict. The tribal have been subjugated and assimilated; our land, basic rights and even our very existences under the sun have been threatened now. Such pathetic conditions resulted in mushrooming of tribal armed groups in the past. However, most of them have decided to shun the path of violence and signed SoO with the Government to create a conducive atmosphere for peaceful political dialogue.

2. Promise of 6th Schedule Provisions:

That, having understood our plights and acknowledging the need for a permanent political solution, the Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singhji promised to extend 6th Schedule provisions of the Constitution to tribal areas of Manipur within six (6) months during his election campaign at Ngathal Ground, Churachandpur, Manipur, in the month of February 2017, if the BJP is voted to power in the state.

3. Chief Minister’s Commitment:

Furthermore, the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Biren Singh, in his ‘personal political mission’ stated thus, “to bring the issue of militant groups under SoO, irrespective of their background, to its logical conclusion within a given time frame” and “invite all UGs in the state for political dialogue to bring a permanent political solution.”

We firmly believe that the time has come to fulfil these promises and turn words into action.

The Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council would also like to reiterate that we fully support the on-going peaceful political dialogue and pray that it leads to an honourable, acceptable, durable and practical political solution for the tribal in the state of Manipur.

On behalf of the people and the tribes we represent, we plead your honour to kindly take up all possible steps for immediate political solution and pave the way for an era of peace and development.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Yours sincerely,
(Joseph Lalrothang)
President, HMAR INPUI

(Francis Songate)
General Secretary, HMAR INPUI

(B.D. Simte)
Chairman, ZOMI COUNCIL

(Khamneithang Vaiphei)
General Secretary, ZOMI COUNCIL

Copy to:

1. The Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Govt. of India

2. The Hon’ble Chief Minister, Manipur

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