Imphal: True story of Manipur is not highlighted in the national media about the Manipur situation and it is being termed as a riot between two ethnic groups but Meiteis are living together with 30 other communities and no such clash is going on between them. This question is asked by the Chief of socio-cultural organisation Meitei Leepun, based in Manipur.

In a telephonic conversation, Pramot Singh, Chief of Meitei Leepun spoke with the KRC TIMES and said that it was the Britishers who colonised and divided Manipur but India partnered with Manipur with the promise to protect and follow all the existing rules and regulations followed by Manipur Monarchy. But after the merger with India, Manipur was not protected. Illegal immigrants are flowing from Myanmar continuously through the porous border.

Pramot says that ‘We were tolerant but now we are attacked in our own land To Meiteis’ it is an invasion from outside’.
Explaining that Kukis have only two strata either very rich and powerful or very poor and the poor follow the powerful, so they have only one type of voice. Whereas Meiteis have multiple strata of people and it is taking time to have a united voice evolving and once it evolves the Meiteis will have one single voice.

He asserted that Meiteis are a very united race and now all section of society is discussing what should be the common goal to stop this invasion.He cited the example of the Kashmiri Pandit and says that if the Government of India does not take corrective action, someday Meiteis’ will also become the story of the Kashmiri Pandit.

He asserted that Meiteis are not ready to become the ‘story’ of Kashmiri Pandit. He says ‘We are warriors. Meiteis are gathering in small groups and discussing. Meiteis are preparing for war against the invasion.’

Pramot demanded that the Manipur issue of invasion from outside should be discussed in Parliament. He also says that the military should be stationed where the places of fight are happening.Pramot believes that the slogan of peace with no mechanism will not work when the houses of Meiteis are burnt in front of security forces.

He urged CSOs and other stakeholders that if all are really interested in solutions then Meitei, Nagas, and Kukis should come together with honest intentions for permanent solutions. He urged that the inflow of people from outside should first stop. The fifty MLAs should discuss and decide what to do.

Meiteis in Churachandpur were pushed out by internal migration and the last remaining small villagers should be able to go there. In the name of minority and tribe, they are protected whereas meitei’ are not protected he alleged. Meitei Leepun chief voiced that ‘we should not be a refugee in our land.

Meiteis are a forgiving race and the Government should start the NRC process, Kuki should not bring more people and Meiteis should not be staying in relief camps with meager food. Our people should learn how to survive in their own land rather than become the story like Kasmiri Pandits’ echoed Pramot Singh.