The memorandum on behalf of the Meiteis is dated February 17 and it was sent by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity. The signatory is COCOMI convener Khuraijam Athouba. The one for Kuki-Zos is dated February 22 and it was submitted by the Kuki-Zo Council representatives during a scheduled meeting with the Governor at Kangpokpi. The signatories are the organisation’s chairman Henlianthang Thanglet and general secretary (administration) Rev Dr V L Nghakthang. The submission of the memoranda is an evidence of representatives of the sides to the conflict commencing interactions with the Governor in a matter of days after Manipur was placed under President’s rule on Thursday, February 13.

An estimated 60,000 persons were sent to relief camps in stages as the ethnic conflict assumed serious proportions on May 3, 2023 and the state witnessed total break-down of the law and order machinery, which was exploited by ultras from both sides to loot arms and ammunition from government armoury resulting in killing of over 250 people. The CoCOMI memorandum urges the Governor to rehabilitate IDPs by ensuring their safe return to respective villages and homes and making arrangements for their free access to healthcare, education and transport facilities. This, the organisation has contended, will be possible when utmost priority is accorded to restoration of law and order.

The Kuki-Zo Council memorandum accords priority to implementation of a comprehensive resettlement package and ensuring adequate supply of relief materials. Many IDPs face bleak prospects of rehabilitation in their native villages. Many displaced persons are being looked after by churches. There are also people living in rented houses. A good number of IDPs managed to flee to Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam and even Delhi. Therefore, only a comprehensive, time-bound rehabilitation programme alone can provide the healing touch to the displaced people, the council has pleaded. It prefers large-scale construction of prefabricated houses at places where damage to life and property has been extensive. It has cited the instance of Chandel district where its survey found Kuki-Zo 1,528 houses razed to the ground.

COCOMI has called for a systematic initiative to identify and deport illegal immigrants residing in both hills and plains. “The National Register of Citizens..., fully endorsed the indigenous population ... must be implemented to prevent further demographic exploitation”. A firm official stand that “narco-terrorism as a primary threat to Manipur’s stability” has assumed urgency and for the North-East a dedicated anti-narco-terrorism unit has become imperative, according to the organisation.

The Kuki-Zo Council speaks of the need to track refugees from Myanmar by creating facilities for biometric recording and issuance of identity cards to each and every refugee. They should be housed in camps till such time arrangements are in place for their return to Myanmar. These facilities will at the same time check illegal immigrants coming from Myanmar. This point has been mentioned in the assessment of the situation in Tengnoupal district.

The council has sought a compensatory package of Rs 20 crore immediately for restarting development projects work on which has been held up as either the state government did not release funds or implementation was not possible because of the widespread conflict. Their memorandum mentions that Kuki-Zos are flagging their concerns as true citizens of India and in the hope that the Governor-led administration will go that extra mile to alleviate the suffering of the victims of circumstances.

It has also sought helicopter services between Moreh and Churachandpur, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Guwahati and Kangpokpi and Guwahati.

The memoranda reiterated their core demand. COCOMI is for an integrated Manipur as at present and that “any possibility of separate administration” is eliminated The reference is to the Kuki-Zo Council’s demand for a separate administration. Meiteis also want termination of President’s rule at the earliest and activation of the institutions of parliamentary democracy. They want an early Assembly session “to deliberate on the crisis and formulate legal and administrative measures for resolution” The memorandum dated February 17 speaks of the desirability of putting in place a duly elected government “within this month”.

The Kuki-Zo Council’s representation makes it clear that the organisation wants the Governor to see that the administration acts on the relief measures sought “pending political settlement of our demand for separate administration in the form of UT with Legislature”. (IPA Service)