A detailed petition addressing the ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur, the security situation in Sinakeithei village, and broader political and administrative concerns in the hill areas has been submitted to Ajay Kumar Bhalla, with copies also forwarded to the state Home Department and other concerned authorities.
The memorandum, submitted by K. Timothy Zimik on April 4, 2026, presents a wide range of issues which the petitioner describes as root causes behind the prolonged crisis in the state. The petition begins by referring to the larger ethnic conflict in Manipur and argues that unresolved political and demographic concerns continue to intensify tensions across both valley and hill regions.
A major point raised in the petition concerns what it describes as unchecked illegal immigration from across the Myanmar border. The petitioner alleges that continued cross-border movement has created demographic pressure and raised concerns regarding identity, land rights, and long-term security for indigenous communities. Alongside this, the memorandum also refers to allegations of illicit drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and poppy cultivation, stating that such activities have contributed to instability in several parts of the state.
The petition further highlights repeated armed incidents affecting Naga-inhabited areas and specifically points to the recent situation in Sinakeithei village. According to the memorandum, villagers have faced insecurity, disruption in livelihood, and difficulty in freely accessing agricultural land and village territory due to prevailing tensions. The petitioner states that fear among residents has increased and that normal village life remains affected.
In response to these concerns, the petition demands immediate deployment of adequate security personnel in Sinakeithei village and calls for the removal of armed elements from the territorial area so that villagers may return to normal life and continue agricultural and daily activities in safety. It also urges authorities to ensure full posting of sanctioned police personnel in the village for long-term security management.
Another major issue raised is the continuation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement. The memorandum argues that the present arrangement requires serious review and calls for stronger steps to ensure that armed groups do not operate in ways that threaten civilian safety. It further appeals for disarmament measures and stronger enforcement by security agencies in sensitive areas.
The petition also strongly advocates for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur using 1951 as the base year, stating that such a measure has become necessary to identify genuine citizens and address concerns regarding illegal immigration. According to the petitioner, this is linked directly to long-term protection of indigenous rights and demographic balance in the state.
On the governance front, the memorandum raises the issue of unequal distribution of resources between the valley and hill areas. It seeks separate budgetary allocation for hill districts under Article 371C of the Constitution and calls for stronger constitutional intervention to ensure more equitable development and administrative attention to the hill regions.
The petition additionally urges the state to guarantee free and safe movement along national highways, state highways, and all connecting roads between towns and villages, stating that uninterrupted movement is essential for both economic activity and public confidence.
In another significant point, the petitioner appealed for reconsideration of the proposed Shirui Lily Festival celebration, arguing that under the present circumstances greater priority should be given to peace, security, and stability across the region.
The petition reflects continuing concern among sections of civil society over security, demographic policy, governance, and the future of inter-community relations in Manipur. Officials are yet to issue any formal public response to the memorandum.
