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| Church attacked in Manipur. |
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| Tribal villages burnt down in Sugnu area, Manipur. |
While Indian Parliament ignored the discussion of Manipur violence, the European Parliament brought out the ongoing ethnic conflicts of Hindu-Meeiteis and tribal-Kuki-Zos in Manipur.
The violence broke out on May 3, 2023
--------- News Reports ---------
== VIDEOS ==
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LAMKA, 02 JULY 2023: A fake press release attributed to the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) on July 12, 2023 was turned into a story by ANI news agency, and published by the Times of India website with the headline: Manipur violence: Indigenous Tribal Leader Forum extends apology to Kuki Zo people for ‘misguidance, conflict with Meitei people’.
Manipur violence news today: Indigenous Tribal Leader Forum extends apology to Kuki Zo people for ‘misguidance, conflict with Meitei people’ | India News - Times of India (indiatimes.com) Manipur violence: Indigenous Tribal Leader Forum extends apology to Kuki Zo people for “misguidance, conflict with Meitei people” (aninews.in)
In this period of violence and unending propaganda unleashed by the Meitei community, one wrong information/a false viral message can incite violence and get people killed.
This is precisely why on July 3, 2023, the ITLF came out with a press statement informing the public that miscreants were indulging in forging our letterhead and releasing fabricated statements.
We also requested the media and anyone else to contact us or refer to our social media accounts and our website for any clarification.
But to our utter dismay, ANI storified an incredulous press statement without bothering to clarify with us or checking our website/social media accounts to see if we had actually released the statement. As is the practice in journalism, we demand that ANI withdraw the story immediately and issue a clearly worded statement announcing the withdrawal. ANI should also issue an apology for releasing the false story.
We also demand that the Times of India and any other media house which published the story immediately kill the story link and remove it from all social media posts.
We will be initiating a legal suit against ANI for publishing a fake story unless it complies with our requests and tenders an apology.
Peace Rally to express solidarity to the Victims in Manipur.
Date: Saturday 15th July, 2023
Time: 10 am
Venue: Freedom Park
Aizawl, 12 July 2023: Hundreds of people took part in a rally in Mizoram's capital Aizawl on Wednesday, expressing solidarity with the Kuki-Zo tribals of Manipur who have been affected by violence.
The rally was organised by the Zo Re-Unification Organisation (ZORO), which seeks the re-unification of all Zo People -- Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi-Hmar -- under one administrative setup.
According to the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), 112 Kuki-Zo tribals were killed, 197 villages burnt, over 7000 houses were burnt, 359 churches & quarters were burnt, and around 41425 people rendered homeless/displaced due to the ethnic conflict in Manipur.
--- !!! The Placards are Loud and Clear !!! ----
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=== PHOTOS ===
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Opinion
It is disheartening to witness the divisive rhetoric of certain Imphal Valley politicians who, in an interview on national media, proclaimed that "Meiteis and Kukis are very different," disregarding the linguistic and cultural similarities that bind these two groups together. This stark contrast reminds us of the invaluable contributions made by Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen, a Meitei historian and reformer who dedicated his life to promoting unity among the people residing in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. He vehemently advocated for the oneness of these communities, transcending political biases.
Regrettably, some Imphal valley politicians and civil societies are betraying the legacy of Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen by engaging in derogatory name-calling and fabricating histories about the Zo people. This vulnerable group, encompassing both the Zomis and the Kukis, faces constant harassment, being labelled as "refugees" or "illegal immigrants." Even the Mizos, who have their own state, are not spared from such baseless accusations. This surge in name-calling and discrimination seems to have intensified after the Naga framework agreement, which may have triggered a sense of insecurity among certain Meitei think tanks. While their concerns might be justified, it is truly appalling to witness the incessant attacks, both in policy and through verbal means, on the politically weaker Kuki community in Manipur.
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| Pic: Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen via https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59811979 |
In this captivating video, we witness the remarkable Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen delivering a lecture to a captivated crowd at the Kangleipak Historical and Cultural Research Centre. His subject of expertise lies in the origin of the Meiteis and their ethnic kin, a topic deeply rooted in Meitei folk tradition. With an unwavering dedication to his research, Pu Chingtamlen has invested countless hours and tremendous effort in unraveling the mysteries surrounding the Meiteis' ancestry.
As Pu Chingtamlen shares his groundbreaking discoveries with the audience, one cannot help but be captivated by the sheer enthusiasm and passion radiating from his eyes. It is evident that he is wholeheartedly dedicated to his pursuit of knowledge and is genuinely thrilled to unveil the profound connections among the various people groups residing in Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. Such revelations, which he frequently highlights in his lectures, affirm his firm belief in the oneness of these communities.
Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen stands as a shining example of a historian and Meitei nationalist whose ideas and values transcend borders. His unwavering dedication to uncovering the truths of history and promoting unity among diverse groups is a rarity in today's world. Unfortunately, Manipur no longer witnesses the presence of such remarkable individuals who possess both the wisdom of a seasoned scholar and the passion of a true nationalist.
It is a pity that the current landscape of Manipur fails to nurture and embrace historians and nationalists like Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen, whose tireless endeavors and genuine love for their work have the power to shape a brighter future. The loss of such visionary figures further exacerbates the prevailing divisions and challenges faced by the state.
Unfortunately, it is often politicians, driven by vested interests, who hold the power to dictate history. Figures like Muivah, Biren, Mark Haokip, or even Some Mizo politicians, while not entirely wrong in their beliefs, fail to see the bigger picture and tend to use language that further divides rather than unites. The true passion and wisdom of historians, like Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen, who dedicated their lives to understanding the history of the three states, could bridge these divides and foster unity among the people.
Manipur finds itself in a unique position, sandwiched between two states with closely related ethnic groups. The Meiteis, being the majority community, could have capitalized on this factor to establish strong relationships with both their northern and southern neighbours, connecting through the people groups directly related to them in Manipur. This could have allowed them to thrive not only in the hills of Manipur but also in Nagaland and Mizoram, where many Meiteis have settled. Regrettably, due to various factors, not entirely the fault of Meitei think tanks, this opportunity has been missed, and Manipur appears to be moving in the opposite direction. In Mizoram, until recently, the perception of Meiteis was similar to what Pu Chingtamlen described in his lecture. Although Meiteis are not tribal, they are treated as realtives of the Mizo community in Mizoram, even being often exempt from certain regulations like the Inner Line Permit (ILP) that are imposed on non - natives. The presence of beloved establishments like "Pakhangba Tailor" in downtown Aizawl exemplifies the integration of Meiteis into Mizo society.
However, recent events have shown that the sentiment is not reciprocated. While Meitei civil societies and social media pages assert that the ethnic conflict was solely between Kukis and Meiteis and not a clash between tribals and Meiteis, the small Mizo community in Imphal was forced to flee their homes, leaving with only the clothes on their backs. Mizo churches were attacked. All this while Meiteis in Aizawl find themselves shielded by the Young Mizo Association (YMA), who out of concern for the spillover of Manipur violence have ensured the safety of the community in urban areas. Even before this recent ethnic turmoil, in 2018, a valley-based group called the Kangleipak Students' Union pushed for the removal of Mizo and Ralte communities from the scheduled tribe list of the state. This was outrageous to the Mizos. Mizos, known for their pragmatic approach, juggle multiple responsibilities, and the mistreatment of Mizos in Manipur, being treated as a politically weak hill tribal minority of Manipur, only further strains the relationship between these two groups and brings awareness about the suffering of the Kuki-Zomi people ti the minds and heart of Mizos in Mizoram .
Manipur has the potential to resolve not only its own political problems but also those of Nagaland and Mizoram. The state is blessed with vibrant communities closely tied to both the North and the South. The Meiteis themselves share direct relations with people from both directions. However, if politically-minded civil organizations and politicians continue to masquerade as historians and experts on Manipur's communal issues, the situation in Manipur will continue to deteriorate, spreading its influence to neighbouring states. Manipur could have been a paradise if the wisdom and values of learned scholars like Pu Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen were embraced by the state, unfortunately, it is heading to a path that is detrimental not only to itself but also to its neighbouring states.
#ManipurViolence #Mizoram #nagaland #meitei #Mizo #kuki #Zomi #Naga #themizos
NB: The opinions expressed within the content are solely the author's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of this website and its affiliates.
Dear Mr. Modi,
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When we were in Class X, we learned a story by Leo Tolstoy, titled, “A Spark Neglected Burns the House.” This story teaches us that if we neglect a small problem, it can later become a big problem which may cause major disaster.
There are many problems in India which need to be settled before they become major problems. For example, burning of churches, lynching of fellow Indians by cow vigilantes, harassment of Christian and Muslim communities, etc. Uniform civil code (UCC), if imposed, may create divisions among the different communities which may bring about the disintegration of India.
However, the burning issue of today is your silence, as Prime Minister of India, over the ethnic cleansing of Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes.
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We all know that the ruling party in Manipur is BJP to which you belong. Had it been a non-BJP Party-ruled state, would President’s Rule be not imposed within a month of the initial outbreak of ethnic clashes or after the visit by the Union Home Minister?
As Manipur is a state within the Union of India, its inhabitants are all Indians irrespective of Caste, Creed or Culture. The trouble within the State of Manipur is a trouble within the Union of India. Mr. Modi, why don’t you express your concern with neutrality, and instead of keeping silent, offer condolences to the families of those who lost their lives? Why is it so difficult for you to visit Manipur to take stock of the situation and to comfort the people and try to bring peace to the state by inviting the confronting parties to come together to resolve the conflicting issues that cause this mayhem? Do you not have sympathy or love for the people of Manipur, whether they are Meiteis or Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes or are you just content to have a BJP ruled state? I believe you must have known that the Arambai Tenggol and the Meitei Leepun are trying to annihilate the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes. I think you are aware of the fact that the Chief Minister of Manipur and the Co-ordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) allege that Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes are narco-terrorists, and the latter declares war against them. You know that this conflict could result in heavy casualties on both sides and most of the victims will be the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes, who are the minorities within the state of Manipur. People are Killed, Churches are burnt, Villages are burnt and people are internally displaced in adjoining states mainly in Mizoram. You are projecting yourself to the world as the most popular and capable Prime Minister India has ever had, while the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes are being threatened to be wiped out from existence.
If you continue to remain silent, the trouble in Manipur could spread to other states, which may affect the whole country to the point of no return. If this violence in Manipur is allowed to continue, it could eventually bring about the breaking-up of India like that of the USSR.
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Your indifference and lack of care for the people of Manipur reflects your attitude towards the people of India, not only that of the North-east. This is evident from the fact that you chose to remain silent when Christians and Muslims are tortured and killed, and when churches are attacked and pulled down in different parts of India.
I don’t think I have to remind you that India is a country of diversity. Your Party, BJP must acknowledge this fact. You also know that every Indian is free to follow a religion of his / her choice. Right to religious freedom is enshrined in our Constitution. Trying to make India a Hindu Nation and trying to impose Uniform Civil Code is against the ethos of our Constitution.
Like the story of Leo Tolstoy, there are so many sparks in our country that can evolve into conflagrations which may burn the whole of India into irreparable divisions.
Mr. Modi, as a prime Minister of India, you visited the Balasore train accident site and cyclone-hit Gujarat. You also went to the United States and Egypt. When are you going to visit Manipur?
Please, Mr. Modi, if you really love India and its people, I urge you to show in words and actions that you want to stop the burning of Manipur, whoever may be initially responsible. Don’t you want normalcy to return to Manipur? Your silence may burn India, your / our beloved Country.
ZSF GHQ: Press Communique
