CoTU challenges Amit Shah's directive for free movement
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, March 03 2025: The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) has challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah's direction to the top civil administrators and military officers to ensure free movement of people on all National Highways and other roads in Manipur from March 8, 2025 .

On March 1, 2025, Amit Shah chaired a high level meeting at Delhi and it was attended by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Deputy Chief of Army Staff and Commander of the Army's Eastern Command, among others.

The Union Home Minister directed the top civil and military officials gathered at the high level meeting that free movement of people should be ensured on all roads of Manipur from March 8 .

CoTU challenges Amit Shah's directive for free movement

Amit Shah made it clear that strict action should be taken against those creating obstructions on the roads.

The Union Home Minister stated that the entire network involved in the drug trade should be dismantled in order to make Manipur drug-free.

Directly challenging the Union Home Minister's instruction, CoTU today adopted a 8-point declaration which says that no free movement shall be permitted in the Kuki-Zo area until a solution that respects their rights and aspirations is reached.

The Kuki-Zo community, under the banner of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), observed the 22nd Remembrance Day at Martyrs' Cemetery in Phaijang, Kangpokpi district.

The observance was marked by a public consultative meeting, where key stakeholders gathered to deliberate on the challenges facing the community and the path forward.

CoTU general secretary Lamminlun Singsit raised a strong stand, asserting that the Kuki-Zo people's fight for justice and identity "cannot be silenced" .

He also proclaimed an eight-point declaration adopted at the consultative meet.

The Eight-Point Declaration

1.We shall not rest, we shall not falter, and we shall not surrender until Separate Administration is achieved.

This is our destiny.

2.No free movement shall be permitted in the Kuki-Zo area until a solution that respects our rights and aspirations is reached.

3.Our fight for Separate Administration will be relentless.

We will mobilize, protest, and resist with every means at our disposal.

Nothing will deter us.

4.No individual shall place self-interest above the collective cause.

Any betrayal in favour of the Government shall be considered an act of treachery against the Kuki-Zo people.

5.The Manipur Governor must retract his statement against Separate Administration.

His meeting with Arambai Tenggol does not determine our fate.

6.No Kuki-Zo volunteer shall be arrested.

Any such action will be met with consequences; the DC and the SP shall bear full responsibility for any unjust arrests.

7.If the Government dares to impose peace forcefully without addressing the Kuki-Zo political issue, we will unleash total resistance.

The ruling Government will face absolute and irreversible boycott.

8.Our demand for Separate Administration in the form of a Union Territory with Legislature is final.

We will not negotiate, we will not compromise, and we will not retreat.

"This is not a plea.

This is not a request.

This is a declaration of an unstoppable movement," Singsit proclaimed.

The observance paid tribute to all those who laid down their lives in past struggles, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.

Amid prayers, wreath-laying, and emotional tributes, the community also extended its support to victims of the ongoing conflict through the fifth phase of Jangnadop, a humanitarian initiative spearheaded by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) .

This initiative continues to provide much-needed aid to those affected by the unrest.