Total shutdown called in Kuki-Zo areas
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 09 2024: Reacting to arrest of five Kuki-Zo individuals, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has called a 12-hour 'total shutdown' in all Kuki-Zo dominated areas from 6 am Wednesday to protest what it termed as "gross injustice" meted out to Kuki-Zo people.

In a release, KIM Information and Publicity secretary Janghaolun Haokip said that deployment of central security forces in vulnerable areas initially provided a sense of safety and security for the Kuki-Zo people.

However, the recent arrest of five Kuki-Zo individuals, in the presence of central security forces, is alarming for the Kuki-Zo people.

While Meetei groups are openly brandishing sophisticated arms and other weapons in the valley, indiscriminate terrorising of Kuki-Zo people and subsequent arrest of five individual s is a threat that belies all hopes for safety and security for Kuki-Zo people who have been fully cooperative with law enforcement efforts, said the secretary.

Considering the significant security threat on the lives of Kuki-Zo people, Kuki Inpi convened an emergency meeting and resolved to call the total shutdown, the release said, and exhorted all Kuki-Zo regional organisations to uphold the resolution so to express solidarity for the common cause such as "unlawful opposition, subjugation, and persecution", and demand for a Union Territory with legislative powers for the Kuki-Zo people of Manipur.

The secretary also gave a clarion call to all Kuki-Zo people to fight against the injustices if the issue of discriminate arrest further evolves against the common wishes and desires of the Kuki-Zo people.

The emergency meeting was convened following the arrest of two persons and alleged mistreatment of women and children during a joint operation by central and state forces in Phaituol, Tamenglong on July 8 .

Another incident occurred on July 9 in L Hengjol, Jiribam, leading to the arrest of three Kuki-Zo village volunteers.

The arrests, which took place on July 8 before Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to Manipur, followed an arson incident and an exchange of fire.

Troops of 39 Assam Rifles and Jiribam district police detained two individuals from Phaitoul village in the district.

One of the detainees is reportedly a juvenile, while the other has been identified as 35-year-old Kaplal Singson, son of Thangkhosem from Phaitol village.

Both individuals were suspected of being Kuki militants involved in the attack.

They were handed over to Tamenglong district police, along with three single barrel guns seized from their possession, as the area falls under the jurisdiction of Tamenglong district.

(with inputs from agencies) .

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