Kuki bodies bat for central forces in buffer zone
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, April 26 2024: Upon learning about the decision reportedly taken by the Home Ministry to utilise central security forces deployed in the buffer zones for securing the highways, large number of Kuki-Zo women came out at Gamgiphai on Friday, demanding reversal of the ministry's decision.

On inquiry, it was found that there was no official notification letter from the Home Ministry.

However, the Kuki-Zo women indicated that certain district officials verbally communicated the decision taken by the Home Ministry.

One of the Kuki-Zo women leaders underscored the role of central security forces in upholding safety and tranquillity in the buffer zones while voicing her resentment over the Home Minister Amit Shah's sudden move to withdraw the central forces.

She also lamented absence of any CBI or NIA investigations into cases of atrocities alleged committed against the Kuki-Zo people.

She then asked as tp why the Home Minister had chosen to withdraw central security forces from buffer zones despite the ongoing conflict.

In clear defiance of the alleged decision by the Home Ministry, the Kuki-Zo women voiced their refusal to accept it and urged the Ministry to reconsider its stance.

The Kuki-Zo women also chanted slogan, such as, "Don't withdraw central security forces from buffer zones", "We want Separate Administration", etc.

Meanwhile, Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills also backed the Kuki-Zo women's call for the Home Ministry to review its decision for removal of central forces from buffer zones to patrol the highway.

CoTU media cell coordinator Ng Lun Kipgen, while strongly condemning the recent bomb blast on a bridge near Saparmeina by unknown miscreants, asserted that it is crucial to note the dire situation facing the Kuki-Zo community while alleging of biased state administration led by Meetei leadership.

He said that against this backdrop, the Home Ministry's decision to deploy central security forces for election duty is both insensitive and ill-timed.

He also pointed out that the creation of "buffer zones'" and the deployment of central security forces between the hills and valley served as a crucial mechanism to quell tensions and prevent conflicts between these two adversarial groups.

He further said that so far, these central security forces have been able to fulfil their mandate by maintaining neutrality in discharging their duty.

However, it is also an uncalled for decision by the home ministry to delegate some of these forces from the buffer zones to man the Asian Highways/NH 2 with regards to the recent blast, will nullify the principle objective to deter further escalation of conflict between the two warring communities, he added.

He then said that the Committee appealed to the Central government to reconsider the decision since unabated firing is still going on.

He also said that in view of the present volatile situation and the unresolved cases of the recent killing two Kuki-Zo village volunteers at Phailengmol, the Committee is constrained to extend shutting down of all government offices in Kangpokpi district until further notice.

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