Imphal : The Kom tribes, one of the indigenous people of Manipur and one of the smallest among the minorities which have always maintained neutrality in all matters are caught in the middle of communal violence broke out between the Meiteis and Kukis.

This was stated by Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, Ex-member of Parliament, (Rajya Sabha,) Padma Vibhushan, Olympic Medalist (Women’s boxing) in a letter sent to the Union Home Minister on Friday. The Kom tribe which belonged to the Mary Kom has sought the intervention of the governments at the center and state for early restoration of peace and normalcy in the strife-torn Manipur state.

Mary Kom, the 5th-time world women’s boxing champion, said that the Kom community is standing neutral in the ongoing Meitei-Kuki communal violence. She also seeks the help of the security forces to prevent both warring groups from intrusion into Kom villages.

She also requests all the deployed members of the Indian army, paramilitary, and state forces to be impartial in carrying out their responsibilities to safeguard the population and to be successful in maintaining peace and normalcy in the state.

She also pleads, “Everyone in Manipur, especially the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo, join together, set aside their differences, and restore peace and normalcy to the state. We all need to coexist.”Urging the governments at the center and state to give “this problem” top priority and find an amicable solution soon for the sake of the populace and to save lives, She said, “Owing to our weak internal administration and tiny size as a community among the minority tribes, we have not been able to stand against any forces that intrude on our jurisdiction.”

In the ongoing communal carnage between the Meiteis and Kuki over 150 individuals lost their lives. The violence started on May 3.