To,

Shri Narendra Modi,

The Honourable Prime Minister of India,

North Block, New Delhi – 110001.

 

Dear Honourable Prime Minister,

We, the Meitei Alliance, representing various allied Meitei diaspora organizations, submit this memorandum for your kind consideration and necessary action.

We express our faith in the Constitution of India, the laws of the country, the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and justice.

We are aware of the Government's strategic and tactical actions to address internal security problems and external geostrategic interests, including peace agreements and political talks with armed groups, counter-insurgency actions, relief and rehabilitation packages, and economic investments.

Since 2008, there have been Suspension of Operation Agreements (SoO) between the Government and around 25 Kuki militant groups under two broad fronts, of Kuki armed groups, namely Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People's Front (UPF). Despite peace initiatives and trust in the Government, there have been repeated violations of the SoOagreements by KNO and UPF.

These violations include not abiding by the Constitution of India, engaging in violence including murder, abduction, firing upon security forces and civilian settlements and engaging in various illicit activities such as extortion, unlawful involvement in electoral processes, facilitating the influx of illegal immigrants from foreign countries and promoting poppy cultivation and the illicit drug trade. 

These SoO militant groups have violated the ground rules by acquiring huge cache of arms, ammunition, and military equipment. They have further violated the terms by erecting memorials, bunkers, and hoisting flags, as well as by blockading roads. 

The peace initiatives seem to have been misunderstood by the Kuki armed groups as weakness or special favourable treatment. They have negatively contributed to infiltration of illegal immigrants, illicit cross-border drug business, invitation of foreign armed groups, and communal violence.

The Kuki armed groups under SoO have directly instigated and escalated violence in Manipur since May 3, 2023.

The SoO agreement needs to be time bound and against the SoO terms of agreements most of the camps are located at strategic locations including close to National Highways and two camps in the sensitive Moreh town.

There is widespread demand for no further extension of SoO with KNO and UPF. The Government of Manipur has also recommended the abrogation of the SoO.

Therefore, to uphold the Constitution of India, protect and promote sovereignty and integrity, address internal security problems, and enhance geostrategic interest, and strengthen people's trust in the rule of law, we urge termination of Suspension of Operation Agreements with KNO and UPF in Manipur.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Meitei Alliance

 

Note: Meitei Alliance, founded in November 2023, is an alliance of Meitei diaspora associations in India [Delhi Meetei Co - Ordinating Committee – DMCC (a coordinating  committee of Delhi Meetei Forum - DMF, Delhi Meitei, Liklam Ngakpa, International Meetei Organisation, Eramdam Manipur , Sanamahi Laining, No.7); Meitei Heritage Society Delhi; MMAB – Bengaluru; AMAND – Pune; Meitei Association – Mumbai; Chennai Manipuri Forum; Hyderabad Manipuri Society; Manipuri in Kolkata; Manipuri Diaspora, Assam; Society for Meitei's Chamber of Commerce, Assam; Tripura Meitei Association; Meitei Association in Sikkim; Manipuri Diaspora Association- Chandigarh]; and in (UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, Nicaragua)