ITLF petitions RaGa on separate administration demand
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 29 2023:
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) has submitted a memorandum to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, highlighting the dire consequences of the ethnic clashes in Manipur with an appeal to facilitate total separation of the tribal (Kuki) people.
ITLF emphasised that the violence has caused immense hardships for thousands of civilians, leading to collapse of governance and leaving the army and central security fore -es as the sole protectors of the Kuki community.
According to ITLF, both sides have endured suffering, but the tribal population, due to their minority status, has borne the brunt of the violence as well as the government and state police openly siding with the Meetei community.
Since the violence began on May 3,106 deaths have been recorded among the Kuki tribes, with over 201 Kuki villages burnt, apart from destruction of7000 houses and 356 churches.
The number of displaced tribals has now reached 41,425 .
ITLF further alleged that the violence was not a result of mere misunderstanding, but a deliberate plan orchestrated by the Biren government and its non-governmental allies to seize tribal lands and carry out ethnic cleansing.
They expressed concern over labelling of Kuki community as "foreigners" .
In response to the clashes, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), consisting of several Meetei organisations, declared a "National War" on Kuki narco-terrorism.
Additionally, Pramot Singh, the chief of Meitei Leepun, made threatening remarks during a televised interview, further escalating tensions.
The ITLF accused armed Meitei groups, led by rogue state police commandos, of attacking tribal villages while womenfolk blocked security forces from assisting the affected communities.
ITLF blamed the radi-calisation of Meetei populace, valley-based media outlets, the chief minister, and radical intellectuals, who propagated false narratives of "foreigners" and "poppy cultivators" infiltrating the region.
The incessant attacks have resulted in a complete physical separation between Kukis and Meeteis in different geographical areas.
Reconciliation appears impossible, as the majority community has forcibly expelled Kukis from the valley.
In light of these circumstances, ITLF demands a separate administration for Kuki people, pledging to be good neighbours once peace is restored, the petition mentioned.
ITLF further called for imposition of President s Rule to prevent the continuation of the government's anti-tribal (Kuki) agenda and insisted that those responsible for the violence should not be involved in the peace process.
The memorandum urged Rahul Gandhi to champion the cause of facilitating the total separation of the Kuki people from Manipur, appealing to both the Congress leadership and relevant officials in the Government of India.
Additionally, ITLF requested Rahul Gandhi to raise the matter with the Union Home Minister to advocate for a separate administration for the tribal (Kuki) population.