Guwahati: Meitei and Naga civil society organisations in Manipur have come together for the first time in more than three years of ethnic conflict to hold a joint rally in Imphal on Saturday against Kuki militants.The rally, being held under the theme “Chingmi-Tammi” (hill-valley unity), seeks to promote solidarity among what the organisers describe as “the state’s indigenous communities.”The conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities began in May 2023 and expanded to include Kuki-Naga clashes from Feb this year.The organisers are demanding the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement signed by the Centre and Manipur govt with 25 Kuki militant outfits in 2008. They have also called for an end to what they describe as a proxy war in Manipur, the rehabilitation and safe return of internally displaced families, and the replacement of Assam Rifles in the state — particularly in border areas — with a neutral central armed police force such as BSF.Manipur’s community-wise population break-up for 2011 shows a state in which no single community commands an absolute majority. Meiteis form the largest group, accounting for over 43% of the population, followed by Naga groups at about 23% and Kuki and Mizo groups at 15%. Meitei Pangals (Muslims) constitute about another 8%, while unspecified tribes and others make up the remainder.The rally is jointly organised by the Meitei civil society umbrella group, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), Joint Tribe Council Manipur, Foothill Naga Co-ordination Committee, Naga Peoples’ Union, Imphal, Inpui Naga Union and Naga Humanitarian Aids Committee, Manipur.On Thursday, the rally secured the endorsement of United Naga Council (UNC), the apex Naga body in Manipur. All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) also extended its unequivocal endorsement to the rally.The organisers described the joint rally as the coming together of Meitei and Naga groups for the shared demand for security, accountability and protection of indigenous communities.“We have been witnessing the deteriorating security situation, the continuous reign of terror unleashed by Kuki militant groups operating under the protection of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact, and the grave existential threat looming over the indigenous communities of the state and the general public,” UNC president NG Lorho said in a statement.UNC also questioned the role of Assam Rifles in border and conflict-affected areas, alleging that the force had been perceived as partisan and had failed to adequately protect indigenous villages and secure the Indo-Myanmar border. It demanded that the force be replaced by another neutral central force.Cocomi convener YK Dhiren has urged people to join the mobilisation, citing concerns over the implementation of SoO ground rules and alleged violations by armed groups. Cocomi’s women’s wing convener Luwangleima also appealed to all indigenous communities to set aside differences and participate.The rally comes amid renewed scrutiny of the SoO arrangement following the Oct 23 security operation at Sinai Camp in Kangpokpi district, where 17 people allegedly impersonating registered KNA and KLA cadres were arrested and 24 firearms, ammunition and explosives seized.The Kuki-Zo body, Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), on the eve of the rally issued an advisory to all Kuki-Zo people in Sadar Hills and adjoining Kuki-inhabited areas to refrain from travelling beyond those areas, citing the volatile security situation and continuing threats to civilians.The advisory covers both essential and non-essential travel. COTU said the safety of people on the road cannot be guaranteed outside Kuki areas and “no journey is worth risking a human life.” The body said it was a precaution meant neither to create panic nor to provoke any community.
