ITLF Separation only solution
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 15 2023:
While reiterating the need for imposition of President's Rule in the state in order to create conditions for peace and dialogue, Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) maintained that separate administration is the only means to protect lives of the tribals and ensure lasting peace in the region.
Reacting to the statement issued by COCOMI regarding the 'Supreme sacrifices' of Meitei 'volunteers' in Khamenlok area, the ITLF said the 'volunteers' were part of the constant attacks on Kuki-Zo villages in areas like H Khopibung, Khamenlok, Chullouphai, P Phainom, Aigejang, Thambol, Jordanphai, Songjang and Go-vajang in Kangpokpi district.
Village Defence Volunteers had no option but to defend themselves when their villages were attacked for three days.
The COCOMI had already declared a proxy war on the alleged 'Chin-Kuki Narco terrorism' on June 7 as propaganda to mobilize Meitei mobs and justify the unending attacks on Kuki Zo villages.
This goes in line with open threats of genocide against the Kuki-Zo tribals made by leader of a Meitei organisation on national media, ITLF said and claimed that enough evidence has already been made public of the complicity of the state in allowing Meitei groups to have a free reign on people.
According to the ITLF statement, Central armed forces have been doing their best to establish peace by creating buffer zones be tween Meitei and Kuki Zo tribal areas.
However, it has been reported that large Meitei mobs, numbering in the thousands including women blocked the Central forces from reinforcing the affected areas of conflict while those villages were attacked.
Thursday (June 15) marks the end of the 15 day call for peace made by Union home minister Amit Shah during his visit to Manipur.
Far from complying with the requests of the Union minister, there has been a heightened second wave of attacks on Kuki-Zo villages in Sugnu, Kangchup and Khopibung areas.
The tribal population will never feel safe as long as the state and its agents are allowed to freely terrorize Kuki Zo villages.
There is an urgent need to provide security to the Kuki Zo tribal villages from the unending incursions by Meitei groups, the ITLF said and reiterated the need for immediate imposition of President's Rule in order to create conditions for peace and dialogue.
All that awaits the Kuki Zo people in the valley is death and even more oppression and this has necessitated the total separation of administration of the Kuki Zo trib als from Manipu, the ITLF said and maintained that total separation is the only solution that safeguards and protects the lives of the Kuki Zo people from oppression anci ensure lasting peace in the region.