ITLF demands withdrawal of state forces
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte
CCpur, January 22 2024:
Expressing deep concern over the recent fire-fights and arson in Moreh, Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) has said that state forces should be replaced by central security forces if the central government really wants the violence to stop in the border town.
Strongly opposing appointment of a police officer belonging to the community presently in conflict with Kuki-Zo community as SDPO Moreh, ITLF said that any police personnel stationed in Moreh, including the SDPO, should be from a neutral community or from one of the Kuki-Zo tribes.
Until that happens, local volunteers will have no choice but to defend their land, ITLF said in a statement issued by its spokesperson Ginza Vualzong.
According to Ginza Vualzong, Manipur government has shown its intent to keep the violence lingering in Moreh by appointing a police officer belonging to the community presently in conflict with Kuki-Zo as the border town's new SDPO and the strategy is an attempt by the chief minister to drive out tribals from the area using state machinery.
Events in the past few days have only heightened the resentment against state forces, Ginza Vualzong said and alleged that state police personnel were behind arson in Moreh on January 17 .