The home minister made many misleading statements. He claimed that the Kuki infiltrators entered Manipur because of the violence in Myanmar and it led to anxiety among the Meitei people, which then led to violence in the state. https://thewire.in/government/no-trace-of-sympathy-modi-shahs-reply-to-the-opposition-in-parliament-was-an-insult-to-manipur
The media did not question his claim but the Kuki community has strongly objected to the home minister’s statement. The Kuki MLAs, including those of the BJP, have asked him to prove his claim. But the media did not consider it necessary to question the home minister on providing an explanation on the claim.
Apart from this, the home minister claimed that an organisation named Kuki Democratic Front is fighting in Myanmar, and the conflict in Myanmar led to many Kukis crossing over from Myanmar into Manipur for their safety.
According to news reports, the Kuki groups in Myanmar have refuted Shah’s allegation on its presence in Manipur.
Why was this misrepresentation not questioned? Apart from the misrepresentation, the statement also revealed that the Union government largely agrees with the description of the Manipur crisis as given by the Meitei majoritarian Manipur government. Then how can it be expected to establish peace in Manipur if it is so openly partisan towards the majority?
by Apoorvanand
14/08/2023