CoTU's 72-hour total shutdown begins; talks with UPF-KNO to resume on July 26
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, July 17 2023: As declared by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills, the 72-hour complete shutdown began in Kangpokpi district from July 16 midnight.

The 72-hour total shutdown was imposed by the CoTU following the torching of three trucks belonging to M/S Misao Gas Service and the alleged continuous attack on Kuki-Zo villages in the peripheral areas of Kangpokpi district.

During the shutdown, shops, trades, educational institutions and Government offices remained shut while National Highway-2 wore a deserted look as there was no movement of vehicles apart from the exempted ones from the purview of the total shutdown.

Medical services and examinations have been exempted as well.

At some locations along the NH-2, women folk and volunteers were seen monitoring the exempted vehicles all day by stopping the exempted vehicles and verifying the authenticity of their pass.

Speaking on the sideline of the total shutdown, CoTU's General Secretary, Lamminlun Singsit said that the first day of the total shutdown ended peacefully without any untoward incidents while womenfolk and volunteers were strictly monitoring the total shutdown at various strategic locations.

He said that even after Chief Minister N Biren Singh assured to control the situation, firing, attacking and killing still continues in the Kuki-Zo tribal areas.

He continued that the situation is still hostile and is far away from peace and normalcy in the State despite the Government of India's tireless efforts to bring back normalcy.

The CoTU's General Secretary also highlighted that 'Not a single person from the valley-based radical groups and the Myanmar-based Meitei terrorists were killed by the Kuki village defense volunteers in the Meitei areas while clarifying that they were only killed in the Kuki areas which clearly indicated that the Kuki-Zo people were only defending themselves' .

Further, he appealed to the valley-based media houses to play their significant role and scrutinize news items before telecasting or publishing false allegations and narratives as it could further escalate the violence.

Meanwhile, he warmly welcomed the timely intervention of the Central Government by deploying adequate Central forces in the peripheral areas of Kangpokpi district.

Lamminlun Singsit also lauded the Central Government for taking the decision to resume the Kuki-Zo political talks with the UPF and KNO on July 26 and expressed belief that the Central Government will address the Kuki-Zo problems and initiate measures to provide an immediate permanent solution in the form of a 'Separate Administration' during the talks.

It may be noted that no untoward incidents have been reported till the filing of this report on the first day of the total shutdown.

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