Imphal: As part of the ongoing relief and service work during the ongoing violence in the state, a team of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Manipur Pranta and Seva Bharati, Manipur visited the affected areas of Bishnupur district.
The team led by Laishram Jatra Singh, State Executive Member, RSS Manipur Pranta assessed the ground situation of the affected areas and interacted with local elders of Khoijuman Tabi and Kumbi areas under Bishnupur district.
During the visit, the team also met with the family members of Ningombam Ibomcha, Haobam Ibocha and Naorem Rajkumar of Khoijumantabi, who were killed by Kuki armed militants on July 2, 2023.
While sharing the sorrow of the aggrieved families, the team also handed over Rs 10,000 along with essential commodities to the next of kin of each victim.
The team also assured to extend possible help in rehabilitation as well as education for the children of the victims.
It may be mentioned that RSS and Seva Bharati has been working relentlessly in relief, medical and social work since May 3, 2023 when the violence erupted in the state.
RSS and Seva bharti work conduct skill development and self-employment activities at relief camp
RSS in association with Seva Bharati is also currently running a Model Relief Center at Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Skill Development Center (RBSDC), Haraorou for affected people of Leitanpokpi, Ikou, Sadu Lampak and Sadu Yengkhuman of Imphal East, whose houses were burnt down by alleged armed Kuki militants.
With an aim to impart skills while staying at relief camp and support their livelihood post-violence, skill development and self-employment activities are being conducted on different job roles by Institute of Bioresources Sustainable Development and Central Agricultural University, Imphal at the Model Relief Center, which is being run by Manipur unit of RSS and Seva Bharati at RBSDC Haoraorou.
What triggered violence in Manipur
It’s been more than two months that the northeastern state of Manipur is facing the brunt of violence. The members of the Kuki and Naga tribes, who reside in Manipur’s hills and are regarded as Scheduled Tribes, had launched a protest against the possible extension of their benefits to the dominant Meiteis.
The Meitei had sought special benefits for more than a decade. Manipur High Court recommended the government should look into the demand and had set a deadline of mid-May.
Meiteis account for half of Manipur’s population and if the demand for increasing reservation for them is met, then it would mean that they would get seats in the educational and government jobs that have been reserved for the Nagas and the Kukis.
Meiteis reside in Manipur’s more prosperous valley region and they also have access to employment and economic opportunities. Meanwhile, the Nagas and Kukis reside in the less developed hill areas. One of the major reasons for contention between the two groups has been the development imbalance.
Kukis share ethnic lineage with Myanmar’s Chin tribe and Meiteis are reeling under the fear that they would be outnumbered due to the increased influx of the refugees.
There was outrage among the tribal people as earlier in the year, the state government had launched a drive to remove the tribal communities from forest areas of the hills. It was reported that the government took the decision to remove the tribals because they had encroached upon the government land, thereby sparking protest and anger among tribal people as they believed that they were being forcefully evicted out of their houses.
Central and State force step up security measures
In order to restore normalcy in the state, the central and the state government had swung into action and a large number of security forces were deployed to bring the situation under control. Of late the Chief Minister of Manipur,Nongthombam Biren Singh had taken the decision to deploy forces for the security of the farmers since the cropping season would commence soon.
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