ZCSC condemns arrests, petitions Shah
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 02 2023:
Strongly condemning alleged highhandedness of central investigating agencies in the arrest of seven Kuki-Zo people, Zomi Council Steering Committee (ZCSC) said that the arrest was extremely disturbing and hurtful for the Zo ethnic tribes and significantly fuelled the already volatile situation in Manipur.
In a statement, ZCSC appealed to country's authority concerned to immediately initiate disciplinary or contempt proceedings against the erring officials to ensure true justice.
According to ZCSC, National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) employed arbitrary methods of investigation in the arrests of Seiminlun Gangte, Paominlun Haokip, Seimalsom Haokip, Lhingneichong Baite, Tinneilhing, Tinneikhol and Kimneijem.
Disagreeing with NIA's charge that Seiminlun Gangte conspired with Myanmar and Bangladesh-based militant groups to indulge in incidents of violence with an intention to drive a wedge between different ethnic groups and to wage war against the Government of In dia, ZCSC asserted that the NIA statement was a blatant attempt to paint a picture to suit the narratives of Manipur government and Meitei community.
ZCSC also said that CBI's role in arresting five people belonging to the Zo ethnic tribes without adhering to the mandates of CrPC or Supreme Court guidelines and taking away of two under-aged children without taking the consent of their parents was a prima facie case of kidnapping by those in authority.
ZCSC also submitted a memorandum to Union home minister Amit Shah for bringing an immediate end to the 'Meetei War' on the Zo people in Manipur, ensuring free and impartial dealings of criminal cases, bringing justice to the Zo-kindred tribes and never take actions based on the concocted narratives.
It also urged the home minister to hasten the ongoing political talks with UPF and KNO so that an administrative setup for Zo people in the form of a Union Territory with Legislature totally separate from Manipur be created at the earliest to prevent any further loss of lives and property before the impact of the ethnic clash spreads like wildfire across the region.
The memorandum outlined how the changing situations and the roles played by central agencies like NIA and CBI have made the Zo people to start doubting the integrity of these agencies.
ZCSC also said that Indian government should hasten the process of formalizing the separation already starkly evident between the Meitei and Zo people who are already separated emotionally, culturally, geographically and demographically as well.