Kuki Inpi Manipur submits counter memo to UHM, reiterates call for separation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 07 2023:
Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kuki Tribes yesterday submitted a rebuttal against a representation submitted by Coordinating Committee in Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on June 4 to the Union Home Minister.
The rebuttal addressed to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah was submitted through the Security Advisor/ In-Charge of Unified Command of Government of Manipur, Kuldiep Singh.
In the rebuttal, the KIM charged that COCOMI has brazenly accused "Kuki Militants" of intensifying attacks on Meitei villages since June 1 while listing several incidents from June 1 to 3 where armed Kuki militants were said to be the aggressors.
Reacting to the charges, KIM mentioned "it was the heavily armed Meitei militia masquerading as mob, led and guided by Manipur State forces such as police commandos, IRB and MR personnel who provoked and attacked the helpless Kuki civilians and village guards" .
KIM also charged Meitei forces consisting of "the Arambai Tenggol (a disbanded body) and Meitei Leepun" even resorted to indiscriminate shelling of heavy mortar on Kuki civilian areas.
The nexus between "State forces and radical Meitei militia" are proven beyond doubt, KIM wrote while adding that a lady journalist from a reputed National media house was escorted out of Imphal last week with a harrowing experience of threats even from 'senior official' after she filed a damning report about the encounter between Indian security forces and the Arambai Tenggol at Sugnu.
KIM also highlighted that only a few arms snatched from security personnel/camps by Meitei mob, have been surrendered as a covered up exercise despite the appeal from Union Home Minister.
The snatched arms and ammunition are used to attack defenceless villages in the periphery resulting in the loss of many lives and properties and displacement of villagers.
Unless the looted arms are recovered, the Meiteis' attack on Kuki people will continue and the violence will be protracted, KIM wrote.
KIM also enumerated a list of households burnt, injuries and reported deaths at Kuki villages on separate occasions from May 31 to June 5 .
Notwithstanding the facts and figures, the Meitei CSOs relentlessly go on with the offensive to level unfounded charges against the helpless Kuki people to suit their interest and agenda.
The fact is that the Kuki villages are left to fend themselves against the onslaught of the well armed neighbouring invaders and are compelled to open retaliatory gunfire with their licensed weapons.
The irony is that these village defence volunteers are labelled as "militants" or "terrorists" by the CM and his loyal CSOs, KIM alleged.
KIM went on to charge that the "Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun" with the help of State forces particularly "the police commando, IRB and Manipur Rifles" shameless attacked many villages and burnt down without hesitation even during Union Home Minister's visit to the State.
"It clearly shows direct challenge and disrespect to the authority of the Union Government," wrote KIM.
Stating that Kukis had never gone on any offensive against Meitei people be it in the peripheral or valley areas and it was the Meitei forces which provoked and attacked Kuki villagers, KIM also maintained that the solid facts can be ascertained from neutral agencies and forces present at the ground.
"It is unfortunate that irresponsible organisations like COCOMI stoop so low to demand action against Kuki militants for the action perpetrated by the State sponsored forces.
It is only natural to put resistance when one comes under attack and the same applies to the helpless Kuki," alleged KIM.
Saying that the terror unleashed against Kuki tribal people in Imphal valley since May 3 and unabated offensive activities in the foothill areas to this day is haunting them, KIM said that the person(s) who orchestrate/s these offensives against Kuki people deserve to be declared 'terrorist' than people who defend their land from aggression by their neighbours.
It also condemned the alleged use of mortar and bombs against Kuki civilians by the "communal State forces" .
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