Manipur | ‘Naga Talks’ closes in; mass protests gain momentum

By Phanjoubam Chingkheinganba (Ching)

Tension continues to build up in Manipur, particularly in six valley districts and Kuki-inhabited hill districts of Churachanpur, Kangpokpi and Chandel bordering Myanmar, as the deadline of Indo-Naga Peace Talks closes in.

On Thursday, normal life came to a standstill as thousands came out from their homes to support the twenty hours "cease work" stir called by Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) which is demanding that Manipur's territorial integrity and administrative set up should not be affected by the ongoing talks between GoI and NSCN (IM).

Though no untoward incident has been reported as of now, security personnel are taking no chance and have deployed several men and women in uniform to deal with any eventualities that may perhaps rise from the talks, a senior officer said.

Educational establishments remained closed while attendance at government offices remained negligible, the officer said adding all inter-district passenger services were paralysed.

Security has been deployed at public junctions of Singjamei, Sanjenthong, Khoyathong, Keisampat and Kwakeithel of Imphal town which often has seen huge protests in the past.

At Langol Games village, Lamboi President of Kuki Women Association said, " we welcome peace but it should not infringe into the rights of other communities" and appealed the Central government to stop being partial.

Talks between NSCN (IM) and GoI had been struck for long as the outfit's demand of a "separate flag and Constitution" are being rejected by the centre while NSCN (IM) demand of integrating Naga-inhabited areas have been strongly opposed by ethnic Kuki, Meiteis, Muslims and section of Manipur-based Nagas.

Another protester Jengnei of Imphal Valley Kuki's at North AOC also reminded the state is inhabited by multiple communities and "no favour should be given to one community" adding NSCN (IM) has in its hand the blood of thousand Kuki people who were brutally killed during the ethnic cleansing of the nineties and subsequent uproot of 360 Kuki villages.

Settling cheek by Jowl, several Kuki populace demanded that under no circumstances Kuki villages in the hill districts should not be compromised to appease NSCN (IM), she said.

Meanwhile, to cope with any unseen disturbance in law and order situation, seven companies of paramilitary forces have reached the capital, sources said, with additional companies on the way.

DC Imphal East Rangitabali has issued an order to shutdown two colleges to accomodate three companies of CPMF which arrived in Imphal to contain law and order situation that may rise from the talks.

She had earlier ordered all government and private hospital to remain alert and keep ambulances, and medical aids ready.