40 Manipur MLAs Write To PM Modi Seeking Complete Disarmament, NRC

In the memorandum submitted to PM Modi on Wednesday, the MLAs opposed the demand for a 'separate administration' by Kuki groups.

New Delhi: As the violence in Manipur continues, 40 MLAs, most of whom are ethnic Meiteis, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called for complete disarmament in order to foster an environment of peace and security. They also demanded the withdrawal of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement with Kuki militant groups.

As per a PTI report, in the memorandum submitted to PM Modi on Wednesday, the MLAs opposed the demand for a 'separate administration' by Kuki groups.

"For the immediate establishment of security, simple deployment of forces is inadequate. Although it is imperative to halt the violence in the peripheral areas, a complete disarmament is the key to achieve this goal. The entire state requires a complete disarmament to foster an environment of peace and security," said the memorandum.

The memorandum said that all weapons should be confiscated which belong to insurgent groups and illegal armed foreign forces. It suggested that the central security forces need to take up a more proactive approach to ensure lasting peace in the region. There have been numerous instances of farmers going out to work their fields only to be fired upon by militants, the memorandum said.

The MLAs also demanded the implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur and the strengthening of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). 

"To reassure all Communities, we may consider to strengthen the Autonomous District Council (ADC), and conduct of regular elections (which have not been taking place) to the Hill Area Committee (HAC) and the six existing Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)," the memorandum said as per PTI. 

It claimed that in many cases, the firing incidents have occurred "in the presence of Central Security Forces which have failed to react appropriately, or react at all," demanding that Assam Rifles (9, 22 and 37) need to be transferred from their present location of deployment and "trustworthy Central forces" along with state security can replace them to "neutralise and sanitise" all threats to peace, security and stability.

After all these actions are taken, the necessary peace talks can be initiated to deliver a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis, they added.