The Meitei Alliance marked May 3, 2025, with a strong plea for peace in Manipur, highlighting the displacement of nearly one lakh people since 2023. Criticizing the Central Government’s leniency, the coalition urged for stricter measures against terrorism and the dismantling of buffer zones to protect citizens’ rights.
BY PC Bureau
May 3, 2025 – On the second anniversary of the violent clashes that erupted in Manipur in 2023, the Meitei Alliance, a coalition of Meitei diaspora associations across India and globally, has issued a strong call for immediate action to address the ongoing unrest in the state. The violence, allegedly instigated by armed Kuki militant groups with the tacit support of the Myanmar government, has caused widespread disruption, including drug trafficking, illegal poppy cultivation, and encroachments on protected forest lands by illegal immigrants from Myanmar.
In a press release dated May 3, 2025, the Meitei Alliance highlighted the dire situation in Manipur, where hundreds have lost their lives, thousands have been injured, and nearly one lakh people have been displaced due to the Central Government’s delayed and inadequate response. The group accused the government of allowing Kuki militants to operate freely under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, leading to coordinated attacks on Meitei civilians and the establishment of buffer zones by central forces, which they claim have inadvertently targeted civilians.
The violence has severely impacted the free movement of citizens, restricted livelihoods, and led to a surge in crime and instability, obstructing human development. The Meitei Alliance criticized the Central Government’s leniency toward Kuki militant groups, noting their intent to carve out an exclusive territory as part of a proposed new nation.
The press release also pointed to the Central Government’s imposition of President’s Rule on February 13, 2025, taking full administrative control of Manipur. However, the Alliance expressed concern that between May 4, 2023, and May 2, 2025, the Central Government has failed to ensure security and peace, restore political stability, or foster economic recovery.
On this solemn anniversary, the Meitei Alliance condemned all forms of terrorism and communal violence and urged the Central Government to take decisive steps, including:
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Terminating the Suspension of Operations with Kuki militant groups and taking firm action to neutralize terrorism.
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Intensifying the war on drugs, including the complete eradication of illegal poppy cultivation.
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Updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to distinguish between citizens and foreigners.
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Identifying and deporting illegal migrants from neighboring countries.
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Dismantling artificial buffer zones to ensure unrestricted movement of citizens across the state.
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Facilitating the safe return of displaced persons to their homes with adequate security and support.
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Removing Kuki Tribes from the Scheduled Tribes list.
The Meitei Alliance emphasized the suffering of Manipur’s people under prolonged violence and uncertainty, calling on the Government of India to act with resolve to ensure the fundamental rights, safety, and dignity of every citizen are protected.
The statement was signed by the Media Coordinator of the Meitei Alliance, representing a coalition founded in November 2023. The Alliance includes Meitei diaspora associations in India (Delhi Meitei Co-ordinating Committee, Hyderabad Meitei Society, Manipur Diaspora Association-Chandigarh, Manipur Diaspora, Assam) and globally (Meitei Association in Sikkim, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Mumbai Manipur Solidarity Group, Society for Meitei Heritage Society, Delhi, Meitei Heritage Society, Leima Tengbang Lup, Tripura Meitei Association) as well as in Australia, UK, Europe, Canada, USA, and Nicaragua.
