Opposing CAPFs' presence to aid attacks on Meetei villages !
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: January 08, 2025 -

THE Kangpokpi-based Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) might have withdrawn the economic blockade, which was imposed in Kuki-populated areas along the National Highway-2 to demand the withdrawal of central forces from the Uyokching range adjoining Imphal East district, but there is no guarantee that transportation of goods wouldn't be disrupted again in the near future, considering the fact that for CoTU and other Kuki civil bodies laying siege on this highway is the most convenient and effective means to exert pressure on the government.

In fact, national highways in Manipur sector are seen as the best bargaining chip by all organisations active in the hill districts whenever their demands do not evoke positive response from the government authorities.

Unlike in the past when elected representatives were entrusted to reach out and bring the aggrieved parties to the negotiating table, the government of Manipur at the juncture seems to have none who could don the role of the mediator(s).

However, the same government might be heaving a huge sigh of relief that the CoTU has decided to withdraw the siege on the highway in the aftermath of the Senapati-based Naga People's Organisation (NPO) advising the blockade sponsors not to resort to any form of wildcat agitation which is likely to escalate tense in the region.

Even if reports hint that CoTU retracted from its decision to put a complete halt on movement of goods carriers after a battalion of the CRPF was withdrawn from the Uyokching area near Saibol village, the same Committee serving deadline of 48 hours for withdrawal of all paramilitary forces from the Kuki-dominated districts could be part of its ploy to justify re-imposition of the blockade.

For the record, CoTU and other Kuki organisations had raised strong objections to withdrawal of the Assam Rifles from Kangpokpi district but have mellowed down after the union government ignored their demands and started deployment of central armed police forces (CAPFs) such as CRPF and BSF.

While reasons/factors for fancying the Assam Rifles by the Kuki organisations could be best explained by them, their dislike for the 'other' central forces is hard to believe as they have been resisting deployment of state forces, claiming that the latter are taking the side of the Meetei, regardless of the fact that Manipur police have substantial number of personnel from all the communities.

Thus, other than acting at the behest of militant outfits or elements hell-bent on fanning the communal cauldron, there seems to be no valid reason for CoTU to be worried about deployment of CRPF and BSF troops, whose presence in Saibol area also had an immediate impact as is evident from complete cessation of firing by suspected Kuki militants from Uyokching on Meetei settlements at the foothills.

Even before actual deployment, teams of CRPF and BSF troopers dismantled unauthorised bunkers, which signified presence of Kuki militants and use of the vantage point to rain bullets and bombs on the Meetei villages.

As such, CoTU's primary agenda for the exit of CRPF and BSF teams from Uyokching area is to facilitate the Kuki militants continue with the offensive, escalate tension and magnify the conflict situation, with the ultimate objective to demonise the government of Manipur and impress the central leaderships to cede to their separate administration demand regardless of the same demand rejected multiple times.