KIM urges centre
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 25 2024:
Kuki Inpi, Manipur (KIM) has appealed to the central government for immediate intervention and institute impartial investigation over incessant attacks in Kuki-Zo dominated areas.
In a statement issued Thursday, KIM condemned attacks on Kuki-Zo villages and recent attempt to disrupt the crucial economic lifeline of the state before the Lok Sabha elections in Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency.
"Such attacks are pervasive and have the potential to exacerbate Manipur's precarious state of fragility and demonstrate highest level of insecurity in the state and the government's loss of its internal security mechanism due to its inaction on Meetei groups in the state," it said.
KIM alleged that by all accounts Meitei CSOs and meira paibi groups who introduced the notion of 'narco-terrorism' and 'Burmese illegal immigrant' as a pretext to justify the continuation of violence against Kuki-Zo tribal should be held accountable as the ongoing crisis in Manipur is all about annihilation and grabbing of land belonging to the minority community.
KIM also emphasised that it is imperative for the sake of justice that all perpetrators pertaining to the ongoing ethnic conflict should be held accountable and brought to justice as per the law of the land.
But invocation of ethnic or communal affiliations in criminal investigations risks inflaming tensions and undermining the impartiality of law enforcement.
Therefore, central investigative agencies should investigate the issue and pursue justice based on evidence and legal principles and not on ethnic or tribal lines which will further fuel the ongoing conflict, it asserted.
KIM further urged the centre to ensure the safety and security of the minority community and expedite the Kuki-Zo tribals' demand for 'Separate Administration' for lasting peace.