KIT, CoTU condemn deployment of "additional" State forces in Moreh
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, October 21 2023:
Consequent upon the alleged attempt to deploy "additional" State forces in the border town Moreh, the Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal district has held a sit-in protest.
Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal spokesperson, K Haokip said that despite the adequate strength of security forces already deployed in Moreh, a small town inhabited by a small size of population and much against the wishes and continued objection of the people, the State Government's repeated attempts to deploy "additional" State forces (Commando, IRB, etc) is questionable.
He said the Government of Manipur needs to disclose to the people what exactly is the intention.
He continued that Moreh is "predominantly" inhabited by the Kuki-Zo group of people, but no Kuki-Zo officer is being deputed or posted to run important Government offices such as police station in Moreh or Tengnoupal district Headquarters.
"There is no law and order problem in Moreh and Tengnoupal areas, and deployment of State forces is totally unnecessary.
It would be wiser for the State Government not to disturb the existing peaceful atmosphere in Moreh," he said.
The existing Central forces are strong enough to protect the public, control, and maintain law and order.
Therefore, the Manipur Government's decision to induct more and more State machinery is nothing but a hidden strategy for the resettlement of Meiteis, he said.
He also pointed out that the joint meeting of all CSOs of Tengnoupal district comprising KCA Tengnoupal, KCA Moreh Block, HTC, KSO, KKL, KWU&HR, and MYC on October 20, demanded the Deputy Commissioner of Tengnoupal district to first fulfil it charter of demands.
The 10 points charter of demands include "No resettlement program until political settlement; to appoint tribal Kuki-Zo officers in Tengnoupal and Moreh subdivision; no further induction of State forces-Police CDO, IRB, and MR in Moreh/Tengnoupal; no chopper services for IRB, CDO, and MR; to remove the Meira Paibis checkpoint at Kakching Lamkhai and other areas; to disallow and release essential commodities often blockaded at the Kakching area; to remove all CDO posts and disallow CDO patrolling in and around Moreh; replacement of Manipur CDOs with Gorkha Regiment or any other Central forces; proper reverification of all State force personnel posted within the Tengnoupal district, and furnish a written response/assurance to the demands" .
Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills Kangpokpi also held "a sit-in protest at Gamgiphai against the alleged forceful deployment of additional State forces in the Tengnoupal district and Moreh" .
The committee expressed its dismay and shock over the prolonged presence of Meitei police commandos in Moreh.
A CoTU woman leader said the Security Advisor must in good faith withdraw the deployed Meitei police personnel and install a Kuki-Zo officer as a Superintendent of Police in Tengnoupal district.
The CoTU Women Wing leader said that on October 17, there was a claim regarding a search and cordon operation between Nungshun village and H Khopibung village under the jurisdiction of Sagolmang police station Imphal East, where numerous arms and ammunition were said to be recovered.
She alleged that the Kuki-Zo locals were completely unaware of the said operation and later it was affirmed that it was a "staged operation" .
She alleged a similar incident occurred in the Khamenlok areas on October 20 .
She said the "stage-operation was planed to malign the Kuki-Zo volunteers for possessing illegal arms" .
Kuki-Zo women who are on an indefinite sit-in-protest will not back off.
The protest will continue until separate administration for the Kuki-Zo is materialized, she said.
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