Guwahati: Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, expressing deep anguish over the ongoing violence in Manipur. He attributed the deaths of two individuals, including a woman, and injuries to children and security personnel, to acts of terror by illegal armed militants. He noted that this violence occurred shortly after a “Peace Rally” and argued that the conflict is not a mere ethnic clash but rather a coordinated act of terror by insurgent groups with broader ambitions.
Dr. Akoijam criticized the prolonged conflict, which has stretched for over 15 months, accusing certain groups of perpetuating the violence to serve their larger interests. He highlighted the escalation of the violence, pointing out the use of drones and shelling, tactics more commonly seen in neighboring conflict zones. Dr. Akoijam questioned the effectiveness of the 60,000 central forces deployed in the state, suggesting that if their presence does not yield peace, they should be removed, allowing the state forces to take control and restore order.
One of the key incidents he described was the alleged infiltration of a Meitei village by insurgents using an ambulance, resulting in the killing of a young mother and injuries to her daughter and other villagers. He condemned the militants for violating the sanctity of a humanitarian vehicle and criticized Kuki Inpi for allegedly spreading disinformation about the incident. Dr. Akoijam also called for the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SOO) agreement with these militant groups, accusing them of consistently violating ground rules and fueling the conflict.
Drawing historical parallels, Dr. Akoijam expressed sorrow that the current crisis in Manipur mirrors the violence and displacement of the Partition of India in 1947. He pointed out that the ongoing violence has rendered approximately 60,000 people homeless, evoking memories of the horrors of Partition. He found it especially painful that this is happening at a time when the government has commemorated “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day” since 2021.
Dr. Akoijam questioned whether the government would have allowed such prolonged violence to continue if it had occurred in “mainland” India, such as Uttar Pradesh or Maharashtra. He stated that the failure to address the crisis in Manipur reflects a lack of empathy and urged the government to recognize its moral and historical responsibility to protect the state. Citing Manipur’s historical role in India’s defense, particularly after the Instrument of Accession in 1947, he reminded the government of its duty to defend the state against internal and external threats.
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In his appeal, Dr. Akoijam urged the government to take immediate steps to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur, investigate allegations of partisan actions by security forces, and reject divisive identity politics. He also called for the release of findings from the inquiry committee headed by Justice Ajai Lamba, which was established in June 2023 to investigate the crisis.
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