ANOTHER ROUND OF VIOLENT PROTEST ROCKED IMPHAL; TRIBAL STUDENTS ALLEGE DISCRIMINATION OVER THE CANCELLATION OF SSC EXAM CENTRES IN HILL DISTRICTS
On September 9, 2024 Meitei student bodies carried out a rally across the Imphal Valley districts. In Imphal, the rally was organised under the aegis of the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), a predominantly Meitei student organisation. Slogans such as “Go back Central Forces”, “Down Down Indian Government”, “Long Live Manipur” were shouted by participants of the rally, which later turned violent.
The rally in Imphal was thwarted along the Keishamphat traffic junction, Imphal West after sustained effort by the local police. The junction is also a few hundred metres from the Raj Bhawan. The Meitei student protesters held banners and placards indicating their demands of withdrawing central paramilitary forces, the resignation of the DGP and Security Advisor and their grievances with the government. Tribal organisations expressed apprehensions that the rally was allegedly engineered to give a bigger political sway to the Chief Minister (CM) N Biren Singh-led Meitei legislators resolution presented to the Governor, while highlighting the deteriorating state of law and order in the capital city.
The CM N Biren Singh-led delegation had raised a number of demands including the handing over of Unified Command to the Chief Minister and the abrogation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) signed between the central government and the Zo autonomist groups (Kuki National Organisation and United People’s Front), who have entered into a political dialogue with the central government for a political settlement.
Monday’s protest and rally in Imphal came a day after the Meira Paibis held a torch rally condemning the alleged drone attacks by the supposed Kuki militants in the Koutruk periphery, which also demanded the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Incidentally, the rally was also held merely two days after violent incidents of attempted State armoury looting by suspected Meitei militant-mob on the 2nd and 7th MR in Imphal East on Friday evening.
Earlier, on September 8, 2024, the Directorate of Education-School, Government of Manipur declared the closure of schools across the valley for Monday and Tuesday i.e. September 9 and 10. Similarly the Manipur University, and the Dhanamanjuri University issued a notice for the postponement of examinations to be held on Monday and Tuesday.
Tribal Students Allege Discrimination
The escalation of violence in Imphal have once again raised eyebrows on the abrupt cancellation of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examinations - 2024 examination centres in the two hill district headquarters of Ukhrul and Lamka (Churachandpur) due to “law and order” situation. This development comes despite the District Administration of Ukhrul and Lamka (Churachandpur) official communication on the positive feasibility of conducting examinations in both the district headquarters. Shri Alfred Kanngam S Arthur, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Outer Manipur had written to the Chairman of SSC calling the decision “unwarranted” and needs to be reconsidered as there is absolutely no valid reason to support it. This had led to widespread expression of resentment and allegations of discrimination from tribal aspirants.
A student due to give the CGL examination told Fieldnotes, “Now, I have to go to Guwahati for my exam, the government and (recruiting) agencies do not understand how much students have to suffer because of their insensitivities.” Another aspirant due to give the exam in Aizawl said, “This is nothing short of discrimination, if it can be conducted in Imphal, why can’t they do the same here?” Till the filing of this report, neither the SSC or the Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) have not issued any notice on the state of CGL examination centres in Imphal.
A total of 625 candidates from Lamka have sent their signed grievances letters to the Chief Justice of India on September 7, 2024 through the Zomi Students’ Federation, GHQ. The 625 candidates are hopeful that the Supreme Court in exercising its epistolary jurisdiction will uphold their fundamental right and restore examination centres in the hill districts in the interest of tribal students.
What constitutes law and order breakdown in Imphal Valley?
Amidst the ongoing violent contestation and political disagreement between the majority Meitei community and the Zo (Kuki, Zomi and Hmar) community, the Centre has time and time again failed to realise or acknowledge the breakdown of law and order in the State of Manipur. The Supreme Court of India last year on August 1, 2023 had stated, “absolute breakdown of law and order machinery” in the State of Manipur.
Despite a clear indication of the State government’s apparent inability to uphold their constitutional obligations, no concrete step was taken to remedy the situation till today. Mention may be made that, on January 24, 2023 a few days prior to the Indian Republic Day celebration, 37 Manipur legislators and 2 parliamentarians belonging to the Meitei community pledged their allegiance and took an Oath before the shrine Eputhou Pakhangba instead of the Constitution of India. The Oath of Allegiance was administered by the Meitei armed militants – Arambai Tenggol. Eputhou Pakhangba is a primordial deity for the follower of Meitei traditional religion called Sanamaheism, which extremist armed Meitei cultural organisation like the Meitei Leepun and the Arambai Tenggol calls for the revival of their traditional religion which they claimed was on the brink of vanishing due to the advent of Hinduism.
In Pics: Meitei protestors on Monday unfurled the Meitei Salai Tarat (also known as flag of the Arambai Tenggol), at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office gate. This was the second time the Thoubal DC office had the Salai Taret placed on its entrance gate, despite the presence of State functionaries and forces. These series of events are indicative of the prevailing unreported state of affairs in the valley districts.
In Pic: Protestors attack CRPF convoy near Raj Bhawan, Imphal