Government should not grant Kukis' demand: UPSF
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 21 2023: Asking the Central and state governments not to yield to the demands raised by Kuki community while sidelining the real issue, United Political and Social Forum (UPSF) convenor Dr H Geetajen said that the forum will fight against any decision made in favour of Kukis.

Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club here on Sunday, Dr Geetajen said that Kukis have burnt several government offices and holy places of Meeteis before the violence broke out on May 3.The May 3 incident was a pre-planned ethnic cleansing against the Meeteis, who are minority in the hill districts, he said while questioning the reason for the Central government to patronising the illegal immigrants.

Recalling the August 3 Torbung incident, Geetajen said that the central security forces made Torbung area a buffer zone in order to prevent any skirmish between the two community.

The central security forces prevented Meeteis from entering Torbung but allowed Kukis to march and camp there in large group.

He also questioned the location of the buffer zone and asked the Centre to create buffer zone, if necessary, in a 200 metre span in the adjoining stretch of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts.

He also demanded the Centre to stop partisan attitude between Kukis and Meeteis, and to allow residents of Torbung to stay in their homes.

Geetajen also raised strong opposition against ITLF's demand not to deploy commandos and IRB in hill areas while expressing suspicion of a possible hidden agenda.

State forces should not be divided on the basis of community but should be for the whole state.

At the same time, people of Manipur have no trust on Assam Rifles, he claim and demanded the Central and state government to publicly declare their stand on the present conflict.

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