Kuki-Zo man posing as Kom to defame community: KTOV
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 10 2024: The Kom Tribe Organisation Valley (KTOV) has issued a strong statement condemning an incident where a man allegedly posed as a member of Kom community during a recent mass rally organised by Kuki Zo groups in Delhi.

The individual, identified as Mangza Jr Kuki from the Kuki-Zo community, appeared in a viral social media clip wearing Kom attire and falsely claimed to be a Kom tribesman.

KTOV, in a press statement, clarified that the Kom community has no involvement in the rally or the viral video and emphasised that they are not part of such activities.

The organisation stressed that Kom tribe, an indigenous community of Manipur, stands for peace, harmony, and the territorial integrity of the state.

KTOV strongly condemned what it described as a "nefarious attempt" to defame the Kom community and warned that legal action could be taken against individuals responsible for such acts in the future.

Meanwhile, the Kom Union Manipur (KUM) clarified that no member of the Kom community took part the mass rally organised by Kuki-Zo community in New Delhi on Friday regarding their separate administration demand and against the Centre's decision to remove Assam Rifles from the hills particularly from Kuki-Zo inhabited areas of Manipur.

KUM advisor cum spokesperson Royes Kom told media persons during a press conference at KR Lane Friday that a video went viral on social media platforms including facebook about a man in Kom traditional attire joining the rally organised by Kuki-Zo community in New Delhi on Friday.

After close examination of the viral video, it was found that the man in Kom traditional attire joining the rally was not a Kom but posing as a member of community.

He contended that Kom being a peace loving community have been maintaining neutrality in the ongoing clash between the Meetei and Kuki-Zo communities.

Comment