Protests in Kuki areas against deployment of central forces
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kpi/CCpur, January 03 2025: Kangpokpi district headquarters witnessed a massive protest on Friday as thousands of Kuki-Zo community members, predominantly women, rallied under the leadership of Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) .

The protest, coinciding with Kuki-Zo Remembrance Day, is part of ongoing agitation against alleged systematic oppression and central security force deployment in Saibol, Bungpi region of Lhungtin sub-division.

The demonstration follows an indefinite economic blockade and a 24-hour shutdown against the presence of central forces in Kuki-Zo dominated areas.

Protestors, split into two groups, gathered at Brig M Thomas Ground before heading to key administrative offices.

One group, led by CoTU secretary Lamminlun Singsit and spokesperson Kaiminlen Sitlhou, picketed the deputy commissioner's office, submitting a memorandum addressed to the security advisor.

They sealed the office in a symbolic act of defiance.

Protests in Kuki areas against deployment of central forces

The second group, led by CoTU information secretary Thangtinlen Haokip and spokesperson Ng Lun Kipgen, attempted to picket office of the Superintendent of Police (SP).

After negotiations, the SP assured CoTU leaders that central forces in Saibol would be replaced by personnel from Kangpokpi's Saikul Police Station and central forces stationed in Saikul, requesting three hours to implement the decision.

Protestors gathered outside the SP office, determined to ensure the promise was fulfilled.

CoTU's memorandum demanded the immediate withdrawal of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), including BSF and CRPF, from Kuki-Zo areas in Kangpokpi.

It condemned the deployment as a politically motivated move to marginalise the tribal community and destabilise the region.

The memorandum highlighted recent use of excessive force in Kuki-Zo areas, claiming over 50 women were injured during Christmas celebrations due to rubber bullets and tear gas.

CoTU called for neutral forces to monitor buffer zones, emphasising that current deployments escalate tensions.

Ng Lun Kipgen criticised the deployment, citing disruptions caused by valley-based insurgents and armed groups since December 24.He demanded the immediate withdrawal of external forces, stating, "We already have a well-equipped 112 CRPF battalion in Kangpokpi; we do not need interference".

He warned of intensified protests if demands are ignored, declaring the deployment a violation of respect, autonomy, and justice for the Kuki-Zo community.

Kangpokpi plunged into chaos late in the evening as security forces reportedly unleashed brute force on protestors, leaving several injured, including a critically injured woman and several men.

The confrontation erupted after protestors accused the Kangpokpi SP of failing to honour his assurance to CoTU leaders to replace central security forces from the valley at Saibol within three hours with Kangpokpi-based forces.

As the deadline passed, angry protestors marched to the SP office around 7 PM, attempting to seal it.

Security forces responded with blank firing and tear gas, escalating tensions.

The SP reportedly sustained injuries amid stone-pelting by enraged protestors.

At least 15 protestors suffered injuries, with some critically injured and referred to hospital.

Meanwhile, even as CoTU enforced indefinite economic blockade as well as 12-hour shutdown in areas under Kangpokpi district since 2 pm Thursday, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has announced imposition of economic blockade along National Highway 2, citing non-implementation of the verbal agreement reached on December 31, 2024.CoTU and KZC announced launch of the agitation to protest alleged action by security forces on women in a village in Kangpokpi-district.

According to the KZC, the agreement, involving security forces, Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, and CoTU, included key provisions such as compensation for women seriously-injured in the alleged security force baton charge and non-adherence to the sanctity of buffer zones.

Briefing the media at Churachandpur town on Friday, KZC chairman Henlienthang Thanglet expressed disappointment over the lack of progress on these commitments.

He stated that, in response, the KZC has resolved to impose an economic blockade across all Kuki-Zo inhabited areas, effective until 2 am on January 4.He then warned that the blockade would be reinstated if the government fails to implement the agreement in toto.

The chairman reiterated the council's firm stance, emphasising that the economic blockade would continue in Kuki-Zo districts until their demands are met.

Additionally, he conveyed KZC's endorsement of a shutdown called by CoTU.

Thanglet then underscored that maintaining peace, tranquillity, and the sanctity of buffer zones ultimately rests with the government.

A sit-in protest against the atrocities committed against Kuki-Zo women by security forces was held on Friday at the Moreh Youth Club (MYC) office from 8 am.

Women gathered at the protest venue voiced their concerns, chanting slogans condemning the security forces.

Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal spokesperson Thangminlen Mate, Hill Tribe Council president Kaikholal Haokip, and Seikhojang Baite, representing the Kuki Chiefs' Association, also addressed the protesters.

The protesters called for the withdrawal of security forces from Saibol areas and strongly condemned their actions.

Kuki-Zo Council reasoned that the economic blockade is against "disregard for tribal rights and dignity".

Vehicular movement and transportation of essential commodities passing through the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas would be restricted during the blockade, the organisation said.

Kuki Zo Council would intensify its protest if the women injured in the alleged baton charge by security forces are not compensated, chairman Henlienthang Thanglet said.

The government of Manipur had on December 20 declared there is no organisation called "Kuki-Zo Council ", after the group raised objection to chief minister N Biren Singh passing through Kangpokpi district to attend a festival in Senapati district.

A clash broke out between a mob led by Ku-ki-Zo women and security forces in Kangpokpi district on Tuesday, triggering fresh tensions in the ethnic strife-hit state.

The incident occurred after the mob tried to "disrupt" the deployment of a combined team of Army, BSF and CRPF, the police had said in a post on X .

"The economic blockade will be re-imposed if the government fails to maintain the buffer zone's sanctity which is in the hands of the administration," he said.

The buffer zone is a neutral area serving to separate groups belonging to warring Kuki and Meetei community members.

The council also extended its support to the total shutdown called by CoTU in Kangpokpi district from 2 pm on Thursday.

As protest failed to 'elicit a positive response from the government', CoTU would extend the shutdown, said a member, demanding the immediate withdrawal of central forces from Saibol, terming their presence as 'unnecessary and provocative' .