CoTU calls indefinite blockade
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, November 14 2023:
Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills Kangpokpi has decided to impose indefinite economic blockade along National Highway-2 and 37 from midnight of November 15.CoTU's decision to impose the blockade was taken on the sidelines of a sit-in protest staged by Kuki-Zo women at Gamgiphai in Kangpokpi district on Tuesday.
Previously, the 48-hour total shutdown in the district called in protest against the arrest of two Kuki-Zo people by Manipur police in connection with the disappearance of two Meetei teenagers ended on November 13 morning without any response from the authority concerned.
The sit-in protest pitched for unconditional release of the two Kuki-Zos, namely Lhunkhosei Chongloi and Sat-gougin Hangshing by the authorities concerned.
The protestors alleged that the two were arrested on fabricated charge of abduction of the Meetei duo.
During the protest, an elder sister of Lhunkhosei informed that that both he (Lhunkhosei) and Satgougin had gone to drop their uncle in Dimapur for medical treatment, but were arrested while returning to Kangpokpi.
She said that the state government was quick to take action against the Kuki-Zo people but action over the abduction/murder of four Kuki-Zo family members in broad daylight is yet to be taken.
"Therefore, this selective treatment by the state to solve the problem will bear no fruit.
The state must take action based on admissible evidence and not on mere assumptions," she asserted.
Meanwhile, CoTU vehemently condemned the alleged indifferent attitude of the authority concerned in enforcing law and order in Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
It stated that the Committee has been agitating for a meaningful resolution on different aspects but to its dismay, the demands have been consistently ignored.
"Therefore, the Committee calls for an indefinite economic blockade with effect from midnight of November 15 along NH-2 and NH-37," COTU reasoned.
It further stated that the unconditional release of the two innocent Kuki-Zos is indispensable on grounds of illegal detention and impartial execution of law and order in a democratic set-up.
The apparent status of the state indicates the total failure of the constitutional machinery propagated by fascist and lunatic power-mongers of the state.
It further stated that CoTU stands resolute in its endeavour for justice, and any form of systematic subjugation will be dealt with firmly by the Kuki-Zo people.