'Dialogue with Delhi at crucial stage' : CoTU lifts blockade, shutdown
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, October 04 2023:
The Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills has lifted the month-long economic blockade along highway stretches passing through Kangpokpi district and total shutdown imposed along National Highway-37, today.
CoTU reportedly decided to lift the blockade to pave the way for a political solution of Kuki-Zo people 'as it considers that the political dialogue between the Government of India and the UPF-KNO has reached an advanced stage' .
CoTU's general secretary, Lamminlun Singsit said that the political dialogue between GoI and UPF-KNO is at a very advanced stage.
He claimed that a charter of demands for the formation of a separate Union Territory has been submitted by leaders of UPF and KNO to the leaders in New Delhi.
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Continuing that the Government of India is most likely to respond very soon, he expressed hope that the old political issue of the Kuki-Zo people shall be resolved once and for all.
CoTU also lifted the total shutdown imposed along National Highway-37 .
Meanwhile, a sit-in-protest was held under the aegis of the CoTU today demanding unconditional release of the Kuki individuals arrested by NIA and CBI in separate cases.
While one Kuki person was arrested in connection with a transnational conspiracy case, four others were arrested by CBI in the murder case of two Meetei students.
Hundreds of people, mostly women from Saparmeina and its adjoining areas, took part in the protest demonstration.
The protesters shouted slogans such as, "We want justice", "We want separate administration", etc.
They also held placards that read, "You can bend the law, but, you cannot bend justice", "NIA and CBI should distance from politics", "CBI and NIA should act as Central agencies, not State puppets", "Don't misuse Central agencies for political mileage", "We want non-partisan agency", "We don't want Meitei centric CBI and NIA", "We demand separate administration" etc.