Manipur student bodies seek lasting political solution from Centre on third anniversary

Groups representing indigenous hill communities submitted a memorandum to the National Human Rights Commission, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office, urging urgent Centre action on the ongoing crisis. They demanded expedited political dialogue under the Suspension of Operations framework involving the Centre and insurgent groups, including the Kuki National Organisation and the United People's Front, and called for a 'lasting political solution' with consideration of a separate administrative arrangement. Marking the third anniversary of the violence that began on May 3, 2023, the groups alleged a grave humanitarian crisis with displacement, destruction of villages and loss of lives. They claimed over 200 villages were burned, more than 250 places of worship destroyed, and hundreds of civilians killed, along with reports of sexual violence and thousands of families living in relief camps lacking basic services. They called for time-bound investigations, fast-track prosecution, immediate relief and compensation for victims and IDPs, and a high-level probe into the security lapse including the looting of arms, while seeking accountability for the former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh. The groups urged the Centre to treat the situation as a national priority and pursue rehabilitation, accountability, and a permanent political resolution through democratic means.

The violence in Manipur among indigenous hill communities began on May 3, 2023, marking the start of a period of ethnic clashes and displacement.