CoTU shuts down NH-2, NH-37 again
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, August 19 2023: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills announced its decision to close back two National Highways passing through kangpokpi district with effect from August 20 .

The decision was announced during a massive rally held on Saturday at Kangpokpi town against the recent alleged prejudicial remark made by Union home minister Amit Shah in the Parliament and violation of Kuki-Zo people's freedom of thought and expression.

Thousands of Kuki-Zo people from across Kangpokpi district participated in rally which started from Brig M Thomas ground and ended at DC Kangpokpi office.

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

On the sidelines of the protest rally, CoTU general secretary Singsit told media persons that rally was organized to protest the irresponsible remarks made by Amit Shah in the Lok-Sabha on August 9 and also to show solidarity with the Kuki-Zo academics and intellectuals against whom baseless FIRs have been filed.

While demanding revocation of all the FIRs filed against the Kuki-Zo 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 Vualzdng, Loon Gangte and Zomi Students Federation, CoTU's leader said that filing FIRs against individuals and organizations for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of thought and expression is illegal and it shows the moral bankruptcy of the dominant community who is hell-bent on suppressing the rights of minorities.

He also demanded the Union home minister to withdraw his statements made in the Lok Sabha where he wrongly accused the non-existing 'Kuki Democratic Front' and 'Kuki brothers' coming from Myanmar for causing the current turmoil in Manipur.

Concealing the real cause of the violence for majoritarian appeasement will only bring continuous political instability, he asserted and said that the Union home minister should act according to the empirical evidence of the ethnic cleansing carried out by state machineries.

He then demanded the Centre to immediately re-impose AFSPA in the valley to curtail the sporadic violence and killing of innocent Kuki-Zo people.

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 people from obstructing transportation of goods meant for the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.

He pointed out 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.

In its memorandum to the Prime Minister, the CoTU urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address and take up necessary action in connection with various issues like re-imposition of AFSPA in valley areas of Manipur, revocation of FIRs filed against Kuki-Zo intellectuals and talks with SoO groups be settled with separate administration.

Kuki Inpi Manipur also submitted a memorandum to the Union home minister Amit Shah through DC Kangpokpi after the rally.

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