CoTU decides to close both NH-2, NH-37
Shah asked to roll back statement
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, August 19 2023: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills has decided to close the two National Highways passing through Sadar Hills Kangpokpi from Sunday midnight (August 20) .

A mass rally was held today at Kangpokpi against the alleged prejudicial remark of Home Minister Amit Shah and violation of 'Kuki-Zo freedom of thought and expression' .

Thousands of Kuki-Zo people across Kangpokpi district participated in the CoTU's mass rally from Brig M Thomas ground till DC office, Kangpokpi.

CoTU leaders also submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of India through the DC Kangpokpi.

CoTU decides to close both NH-2, NH-37

The Kuki Inpi, Manipur also submitted a similar to the Prime Minister through the DC.

On the sideline of the protest rally, CoTU general secretary Lamminlun Singsit said that the mass rally was organized to protest the alleged irresponsible remarks made by the Union Home Minister in the Lok Sabha on August 9 .

"It was also to show our solidarity with the Kuki-Zo academics and intellectuals who have been subjected to baseless FIRs while the rally is also to protest against the unabated attack by Meitei militants", he said.

While strongly demanding the revocation of all the alleged baseless FIRs filed against the Kuki-Zo academics and intellectuals including Dr Jangkhomang Guite, Dr Thongkholal Haokip, Colonel (Retd.) Dr Vijay Chenji, Professor Kham Khan Suan Hausing, Dr Mary Grace Zou, WL Hangshing, Glady Vaiphei Hunjan, Ginza Vualzong, Lun Gangte, and Zomi Students Federation, the CoTU general secretary alleged that filing FIRs against individuals and organizations for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of thought and expression is illegal.

He also demanded the Union Home Minister to withdraw his statements in the Lok-Sabha where he wrongly accused the non-existent "Kuki Democratic Front" and "Kuki brothers" coming from Myanmar for causing the turmoil.

"Concealing the real cause of the violence for majoritarian appeasement will only bring continuous political instability", he asserted.

Singsit also pointed out that Army and the Central Forces stationed in the valley areas are devoid of AFSPA, therefore they appear to be powerless in the valley.

He then demanded the Centre to immediately re-impose AFSPA in the valley to curtail the sporadic violence.

In connection with its three days ultimatum over the National Highways issue, Singsit reiterated that the Government of India had done nothing to stop the valley extremists from obstructing goods meant for the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.

He alleged that a vaccine van carrying medical supplies for Kangpokpi and Senapati districts was stopped by Meira Paibis at Sekmai on August 18 and all the medical items meant for Kangpokpi district were destroyed.

He also said that the attack on the Kuki-Zo villages is continuing unabated where three innocent villagers of Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong district were brutally killed by Meitei militants in the wee hours of August 18 .

Therefore, in protest against the failure of the Government of India to protect the Kuki-Zo communities, and its failure to ensure free movement of goods meant for the hill districts, CoTU decided to re-impose the blockade on NH-2 and NH-37 from midnight of Sunday, August 20 .

In its memorandum to the Prime Minister, CoTU urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address and take necessary action in connection with various issues.

It stated that the Kuki-Zo people have been deeply hurt by the alleged irresponsible statement made by the Union Home Minister on August 9 while requesting the Prime Minister's Office to instruct the Union Home Minister to withdraw his statements.

It also stated that the Kuki-Zo people are saddened to learn that a series of FIRs have been registered against academics and intellectuals belonging to the Kuki-Zo tribal communities by various individuals and organisations and urged the Prime Minister to look into the matter so that critical thinking academicians and intellectuals are given space for constructive analysis of the current turmoil.

CoTU in its memorandum also stated that it is evident that the majority Meitei community have looted 6000 automatic weapons from various state armouries and private gun houses in Imphal.

The State police could recover only about 1000 arms and 90% of these weapons are still in the hands of the radicalised groups.

Besides, the secessionist groups in the valley based in Myanmar have trespassed into Indian territory during this conflict.

It is necessary to re-impose AFSPA in the six valley districts as in the hill districts so that law enforcing agencies, including paramilitary forces and armies can contain further escalation of violence and bring disarmament in the State, it added.

Considering the gravity of the situation, and complicity of the State Government in the violence, there is a need for investigation by independent institutions and agencies with special powers.

Over justice for the sexual assault victims, CoTU said that all the perpetrators must be given exemplary punishment so that women bodies are not used as a tool for provocation and extreme care needs to be taken while trying to deliver justice to the victims of sexual assault during the conflict.

With regard to the demand for separate administration, CoTU apprised the Prime Minister that the demographic and geographical division between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo community is complete.

"All that we can hope and pray is that the bipartite political talks between Government of India and the two umbrella groups viz, Kuki National Organisations and United People's Front are settled for a separate administration as early as possible", it stated.

CoTU then urged the Prime Minister to have a sympathetic look at the above mentioned issues for justice to precede so that recurrence of such intense violence is curtailed and the word "Peace" be established and consolidated between the two communities.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur also submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah through DC Kangpokpi.