CCpur indefinite shutdown protests arrest
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 02 2023: Normal life has been crippled in Churachandpur district after the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) called an indefinite shutdown from Monday in the Kuki-dominated district in protest against the arrest of Kuki-Zo people.

The shutdown was imposed in Kuki-Zo inhabited areas in the hills and borders with valley sealed in protest against the arrest of six people including three minors from a place in between Kangvai and Molhoi on Sunday by a combined team of NIA and CBI.

All shops, market places and other commercial activities came to a grinding halt due to the shutdown.

Apart from government offices, schools and other institutions of learning were closed.

In protest against the arrest, large number of people gathered in front of the SP's office in Churachandpur town to vent their anger on Sunday evening and continued till dawn.

Volunteers of Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) were seen enforcing shut down in the entire town of Churachandpur.

The shutdown has been peaceful with no report of any unwanted incident till the filing of this report.

Meanwhile, Kuki Inpi Manipur, Kuki Students' Organisation, Hmar Students' Association and Kuki Women's Organisation for Human Rights termed 'abduction' of minors and innocent civilians as gross violation of human rights and an affront to the principles of justice and humanity.

They asserted that Bois-awm Haokip and Paominlun Haokip, who are among the arrestees, are neither KNF Zogam cadres nor have any involvement in the murder of two students.

They are the president and general secretary of KSO Leimata block respectively, the og-anisations clarified.

Urging relevant authorities including the CBI to ensure safe return of the abducted civilians especially the minors to their families and uphold the principles of justice, human rights and child protection and work to prevent such incidents in the future, they advocated open dialogue with the communities concerned to address their concerns and create an atmosphere of trust and cooperation.

Expressing deep concern over alleged selective and discrimination of opening cases by the central government agencies including the recent events involving the CBI, they stated that the act of unfair prejudice reflected the inequality of delivering justice and warned against acting hastily due to political pressure which could further vitiate the already hostile situation.

Immediately after the arrests, ITLF on Sunday night called the indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur district and demanded the release the four people within 48 hours, "failing which more intense agitation will follow in all hill districts of Manipur".

"All boundary areas with the Meitei dominated areas are being sealed.

No one will be allowed to enter or leave the buffer zones.

All government offices are closed from today (Monday)," said Ginza Vualzong, senior leader and spokesman for ITLF.

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