From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: Some Kuki representatives have said that they will boycott the ‘peace committee’ announced by Union home minister Amit Shah in Manipur in the aftermath of the ethnic violence, citing the fact that they were included without their consent and because it has chief minister N. Biren Singh and his supporters in it.
The 21-membe commitee, formed on Saturday, i chaired by Governor Anusuiya Uikey.
Several people who were made members of the panel revealed that they had been added without their consent. Among them are Kuki Inpi Manipur president Ajang Khongsai, who said that the panel includes members of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity, a civil society group in Imphal that “has declared war against the Kukis.”
Others like retired Indian Defence Accounts Service officer J. Lhungdim – who also said he was included without his consent – said that after having served the government for 37 years people like him were “being referred to as foreigners by the CM.”
Lhungdim asked for Union government officials to lead the panel.
The Hindu also notes how former Manipur Director General of Police P. Doungel, who was appointed to a position created overnight on June 1 – Officer on Special Duty, Home – and has been sidelined by the government, is also in the panel.
Manipur minister for information and public relations, R.K. Ranjan, said a day ago that more than 50,000 people, displaced by the ethnic violence in Manipur, are staying in 349 relief camps.
The state continues to remain under an internet ban, this time extended till June 15. It has been on since May 3.
Sporadic incidents of violence have made their way to the news.
