SHILLONG:
The Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH), a conglomeration of traditional headmen on Sunday demanded that the Centre impose President’s rule in Manipur for restoration of peace.
In an open letter to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, SNSBH general secretary RL Blah said, “Presidents Rule be imposed in Manipur for restoration of peace and regain of trust in your Government at least.”
After the imposition of President’s rule, a thorough investigation can be conducted to pinpoint the architects and the perpetrators of the entire conflict. And these people must be punished with utmost severity,he added.
Blah also said that monetary compensation be given to all the victims irrespective of the ethnicity so that they could somehow re-establish themselves.
“A neutral team be constituted devoid of any political involvement or interference so that a solution could be arrived at in Manipur,” he said.
Stating that the Synjuk strongly protests against the atrocities meted out to tribal women in Manipur, Blah said, “It is providence that the Manipur conflict is taking place in the midst of your able tenure as the Prime Minister of India. We say providence because you had showcased your ability in many aspects and such abilities had led us to believe that the Manipur crisis will subside (only) if you will it to.”
He also pointed out that the Manipur conflict had inflicted optimum damage on the tribal community and said, “It had instilled fear and distrust in our minds. Being tribals ourselves, we are pained to see our tribal brethren being singled out and subjected to unfathomable inhumane atrocities.”
Blah further alleged that the entire Manipur episode appears to have brewed over a period of time and said, “And looked like a well scripted move to oust the tribal populace from the place they call home which had nurtured them in its bosom.”
” The fear that the tribal communities in the country are having is real and genuine; hence utmost care must be taken by the state and union governments to safeguard their survival.
He said in the case of Manipur the state government had failed to deliver unbiased and fair governance. On the contrary, the state government is rather accused of partying with the perpetrating community.
Also stating that the Manipur conflict as seen by every one is an act of ethnic cleansing, Blah said, “Therefore other tribes of Northeast India (including we the tribes of Meghalaya) share the same apprehension as that of the tribals of Manipur. This apprehension is not merely based on presumptions but on facts.”
“In a far away land; the natives of America or the Red Indians as they are called are reduced to a mere minority in their own land. The same is happening in our own backyard; Tripura. There the tribals are struggling to survive amidst the overwhelming number of non aboriginals in their very native place,” he added.