Kuki bodies reject CM Biren's offer for peace dialogue
Source: Chronicle News Service

CCpur/Imphal, June 26 2023: Influential Kuki students and civil organisations categorically rejected the offer made by chief minister N Biren through the media to hold talks for settling the present crisis.

In what could be a major setback to the peace efforts of the state and central governments, Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), which has been demanding imposition of President's rule in Manipur and other Kuki organisa tions rejected any offer of dialogue with N Biren or his government.

ITLF spokesman Ginza Vualzong said that the Chief Minister's intention of reaching out to stake holders following a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah comes too late after the loss of so many innocent lives and properties and the untold hardships faced by the Kuki Zo tribals, there is no point in talking about peace without a political solution.

He said that around 106 Kuki tribals have been killed, 201 villages burnt, over 5000 houses burnt and 355 churches destroyed, while 41,425 displaced by the conflict.

"We have reached a point where the Kuki-Zo community can no longer live together with the Meiteis.

N Biren Singh, the perpe trator of the current ethnic violence whose hatred for the Kuki-Zo community resulted in the genocide of the Kuki-Zo community, cannot be the harbinger of peace," Vual zong said in a statement issued to the media.

Returning from New Delhi, where he met Amit Shah and discussed the prevailing situation in the state, CM Biren on Sunday evening said that efforts to restore peace would be further intensified involving all.

" Restoration of peace and normalcy in the strife-torn state is the first priority of both the Central and state governments.

In the peace process, Civil Society Organisations (CSO) of all communities, leaders of churches, varied communities and other concerned stakeholders would be involved.

No stone would be unturned to restore peace and normalcy at the earliest, " he had told the media at Imphal airport.

The ITLF, which along with 10 tribal MLA (seven of them belonging to the ruling BJP), has been demanding a separate adminislru tion (equivalent to separate si ate) for the tribals, inasiatement said that all tribals and a large section of his (Biren Singh) own Meitei community have lost faith in his leadership and his government.

The ITLF has held talks with var ious dignitaries including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where Kuki Zo tribals have voiced their demands including their political aspiration of total separation from Manipur, the statement said.

It said: "Our political demand is in sync with the demand of our 10 MLAs and other CSO groups.

The ITLF has exhausted our avenues for dialogue, and it is now crucial for the Government of India to concentrate on finding a solution to our political demand as soon as possible to bring lasting peace in Manipur" .

The ITLF also urged all CSOs and tribe leaders from the Kuki-Zo community to maintain unity and not to participate in any form of dialogue with the Chief Minister and his administration.

If anyone is known to be in contact with the state government, stringent action would be taken as necessary, the ITLF statement said.

Rejecting the dialogue process by the chief minister, Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF) said the state government is entirely responsible for the ongoing violence and no dialogue with the present government shall be entertained.

According to ZSF secretary Samuel Taithul, CM Biren offered dialogue for peace based on the suggestion given by �Union home minister Amit Shah.

However, no talks or negotiation with the government dominated by the Meiteis should be entertained at this time or in future.

He also said that stern action will be initiated against any individual, CSOs or leaders who participated any dialogue with the present government and action against them will be decided by public meeting as and when need arises.

Meanwhile, the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC), Lamka said that the council eagerly awaited outcome of the all-party meet convened by Union home minister Amit Shah.

However, the talk ended without even highlighting solution for Kuki-Zo people and rather focused on irrelevant issues like opening of NH-2 .

This indeed is akin to backstabbing the Kuki-Zo people, the council said while appealing to the government of India to bring a permanent political solution for the Kuki-Zo people at the earliest.

It also said that opening of NH-2 will not solve the present crisis in Manipur nor bring any peace but might lead to escalation of violence due to security reasons.

Similarly, Kuki Inpi Manipur and Committee on Tribals Unity (COTU), Sadar Hills disapproved Biren's outreach programme to hold talk with CSOs to restore peace in the state.

KIM spokesperson Thang-minlen Kipgen said it appreciates initiative of the Central overnment to restore peace ut Kuki-Zo people cannot sit together with a peace breaker and talk about peace.

It will be not possible for Kuki-Zo people to accept a peace initiative being undertaken by a peace breaker, he asserted.

COTU spokesperson Rev K Sitlhou also said that the committee cannot welcome peace initiative in the presence of chief minister N Biren Singh though appreciated Central government's initiative to restore peace in the state.

Under the chief ministership of N Biren, many innocent lives, properties, houses, lands and villages of Kuki-Zo community have been lost and hence the community cannot welcome such an outreach programme initiated by chief (With inputs from Agencies) .

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