ITLF writes to UHM decrying arrest of Kuki-Zos
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 13 2024: Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) has written an open letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressing concern over the treatment of Kuki-Zo community by central agencies amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state.

The letter highlighted several incidents, which ITLF terms as violence and high-handedness against Kuki-Zo village volunteers, while pleading for a political solution and equitable treatment.

ITLF highlighted cases of alleged high-handedness shown towards Kuki-Zo village volunteers by central agencies.

It cited specific instances at Phaitol village and Mongbung village in Jiribam, where seven Kuki women were allegedly beaten by central security forces, and two "village boys" were taken into custody.

In another incident, three Kuki "village volunteers" were arrested following "an arson attack on the house of L Hengjol village chief", and five Kuki women beaten by security forces requiring treatment at Noney Hospital.

Additionally, the house of general secretary of Kuki Inpi (Jiribam, Noney, and Tamenglong) was set on fire by security forces, it alleged.

The letter claimed that the majority community, which controls the state's resources, continues its ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zos.

"Despite the ongoing violence, including burning of Kuki-Zo houses in Jiribam by Arambai Tenggol militants, central security forces appear to be focused on rounding up Kuki-Zo village defenders", it said.

They also criticised the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for arresting individuals on terror charges when they were merely trying to protect their community.

It argued that NIA should not be used as a tool for suppression and that genuine cases should be addressed after a political solution is in place.

ITLF also said that Meetei armed people have crossed buffer zones to attack tribal settlements, necessitating deployment of armed village volunteers to protect their homes and families.

The recent arrests of "tribal volunteers" and confiscation of their weapons were unfair, as it increases the vulnerability of Kuki-Zo villages along the foothills, the letter said.

While combing operations target Kuki-Zo areas, Meetei militias with automatic weapons operate freely in the state capital and surrounding valley.

The state police and central security forces have become mere spectators as these armed men travel in vehicles, brandishing guns and openly calling for the genocide of the Kuki- Zo tribes, ITLF claimed.

The letter noted that around 6,000 weapons and a large quantity of ammunition looted from state armouries are still held by Meetei, yet no sincere effort has been made to retrieve these stolen weapons, and none of the leaders, including Arambai Tenggol chief Kourunganba Khuman, have been arrested, ITLF continued.

ITLF emphasised that they would not cooperate with security forces if the biased actions continue, and called for equal treatment.

If the central government is serious about disarming all groups to ensure peace, ITLF suggested that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) be introduced immediately in Imphal and other valley areas where looted weapons are circulating, followed by operations to retrieve all stolen weapons.

Addressing the issue of illegal immigration, ITLF urged the government to document all individuals who fled to Manipur due to the crisis in Myanmar, issue ID cards, and house the refugees in designated camps.

They expressed frustration at being labelled "illegal" in their own land to justify the actions of a majoritarian government and Meetei groups.

The letter also alleged the chief minister of referring the Kuki-Zo people as narco-terrorists.

ITLF argued that while some individuals might have engaged in poppy cultivation, it does not mean the entire community supported or participated in it.

They highlighted that other tribes in Manipur, including Meeteis, also engage in poppy farming.

The term "narco-terrorist" was described as a propaganda tool used to malign the Kuki-Zo community.

Regarding the chief minister's recent remarks about peace talks, ITLF stated that their leadership and leaders of other tribal civil society organisations are not aware of any such talks.

They urged the CM to stop spreading rumours for public support, noting that if some individuals participated in any meetings, it was in their personal capacity.

ITLF also expressed concern over a military camp being constructed along the Churachandpur-Bishnupur (Torbung Bangla) border.

They requested authorities to relocate the camp to the middle of Bishnupur to avoid unnecessary tension.

Concluding the letter, ITLF asserted that military operations would not bring lasting peace to the state.

They emphasised that the nature of the conflict, marked by death, destruction, and radicalisation of the Meetei community, means that the Kuki-Zo community cannot live a safe and dignified life in Manipur, even with enforced peace by the military.

They urged the Union Home Minister to expedite their demand for a political solution, advocating for a Union Territory with a legislature for the Kuki-Zo community under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution.

Comment