The persistence of violence in Manipur for over four months now threatens to undermine the “significant strides in development” India is making because the nation prepares to host the G-20 Summit, a bunch of 1,300 Meitei individuals from throughout Europe, the U.S., and different elements of the world and their supporters have mentioned in an open letter to the Prime Minister’s Office. 

The letter, despatched on September 3, and acquired by the PMO on September 4, was signed by Meitei diaspora worldwide and their supporters, a few of whom are additionally in Delhi. It has additionally been marked to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar,  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. 

Signed by the “Meitei diaspora worldwide and supporters”, the letter appealed for immediate intervention to restore normalcy and harmony in Manipur and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to go to Manipur and go to the affected individuals. The signatories additionally requested that the PM “personally engage” with Mr. Biren Singh and different authorities to deliver peace.

The State has been seeing an present process ethnic battle between the dominant Valley-based Meitei group and the Hills-based Scheduled Tribe Kuki-Zomi individuals. Nearly 200 individuals have been killed to date, with tons of extra injured and tens of hundreds internally displaced. 

The open letter mentioned, “We acknowledge the intricate complexities inherent to our Manipur society – the Meiteis, the Nagas, and the Kuki communities, each with their own unique identities and aspirations. However, the pivotal role of your esteemed office is to serve as a binding force that ensures the protection and progress of every Indian citizen.” 

“Your presence in Manipur and immediate intervention will bring hope and a sense of security to the violence-ridden people and assure their life and livelihood,” they continued. 

The letter mentioned that the violence had most starkly affected the State’s farmers and college students, citing the demise of a farmer in Bishnupur district on August 29 and the displacement of tons of of scholars within the State. The signatories mentioned, “Manipur is on the verge of a conflict-induced famine and starvation as farmers are not able to work in their fields despite the presence of security forces for their protection.”

One of the representatives of the Meitei diaspora, who helped provoke the marketing campaign to jot down the open letter, informed The Hindu over the cellphone, “Not just Meitei people but other Indians living outside and our other supporters have also signed this letter, given the situation.”

Other signatories added that the letter was not written by any organisation however that it was an effort “from concerned Manipuris from all over the world and our supporters”. They additionally mentioned that the signatories had determined to not reveal their names to the general public due to the “sensitivity” of the state of affairs. One of the signatories mentioned they’ve, nevertheless, made these particulars accessible to the PMO in an attachment to their letter.  

One Meitei consultant, based mostly in Europe mentioned, “I have had friends from the Kuki community for a long time. We do not want to offend anyone at this sensitive juncture and so the decision was taken to sign the letter as Meitei Diaspora Worldwide and supporters.”