1. Meetei Council Moreh (MCM) submits a memorandum to PM Modi for the restoration of Moreh to its pre-1991 status.
2. General Secretary Brojendro Meetei highlights the need to prevent Kuki families from settling in Moreh without addressing the displacement caused by Kuki militants.
3. MCM emphasizes the importance of Prime Minister Modi’s intervention in preserving the multicultural heritage of Moreh.
Imphal, Jan 06: Meitei Council Moreh (MCM) has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging his intervention in restoring the multicultural town of Moreh to its pre-1991 status.
The memorandum, signed by General Secretary Brojendro Meitei, emphasizes that Kuki families should not be permitted to settle in Moreh unless appropriate measures are taken to repatriate those displaced by Kuki militants.
The MCM’s memorandum brings attention to the historical composition of Moreh, a border town in Manipur, highlighting its origins as a multicultural settlement established by Meiteis, Tangkhuls, Tamils, Punjabis, and Meitei Pangals.
The influx of Kukis occurred later, with a significant portion being regarded as illegal immigrants from Burma (Myanmar). The ethnic cleansing of various communities from Moreh by Kuki militants took place in the post-1991 period.
The MCM asserts that its stand is supported by historical records concerning the origin of Moreh. Meiteis were among the initial settlers, along with other communities such as Tangkhuls, Tamils, Punjabis, and Meitei Pangals.
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Over time, Kukis, including Solim Baite and his family, settled in Moreh after 1950. Meitei Pangals arrived around the same time, and Tamils and Punjabis sought refuge in Moreh in 1962 following political changes in Burma.
For a considerable period, Meiteis constituted the majority of the population in Moreh, with Tamils following closely. The population growth over the years reflects the town’s dynamic composition.
The population increased from 108 in 1951 to 3,581 in 1971, with Meiteis settling as the majority in several wards. The demographic makeup showcased the coexistence of Meiteis, Nagas (Tangkhul, Maring, Lamkang, and Moyons), and a few Kukis (Baites and Zous).
The memorandum details events in 1990 when the National League for Democracy (NLD) won in Myanmar, leading to protests and subsequent migration of Kuki tribes to Moreh.
The influx intensified with the presence of the Myanmar-based insurgent group KNO/KNA, resulting in an ethnic clash between Naga and Kuki in 1992.
The Kuki militants’ attacks during the Tribal Solidarity Rally in May 2023 forced Meiteis, Tamils, Punjabis, Meitei Pangals, Biharis, and Nepalis to flee Moreh.
The MCM’s appeal to Prime Minister Modi seeks the restoration of Moreh to its pre-1991 status, emphasizing the need for appropriate measures to address the displacement caused by ethnic clashes and illegal settlements. The memorandum aims to draw attention to the multicultural heritage of Moreh and advocate for the return and rehabilitation of all displaced communities.
