In letter to Amit Shah, Manipur tribal outfit demands UT for Kuki-Zos

Open letter to home minister Amit Shah by Manipur-based Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF)

GUWAHATI: In an open letter to Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday, Manipurbased Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) called for a separate Union territory with a legislature for the Kuki-Zo community . Expressing serious concerns about the alleged high-handedness shown by central agencies in dealing with Kuki-Zo village volunteers amid the ongoing ethnic conflict, the ITLF stressed the need for a UT under Article 239A of the Constitution for them.The letter strongly condemned multiple incidents, particularly in Jiribam’s Phaitol and Mongbung villages, where it was reported that central security forces allegedly assaulted seven Kuki women and detained two village youths. It also drew Shah’s attention to incidents of violence and alleged highhandedness, including the arrest of three Kuki village volunteers and the assault on five women, who had to be hospitalised. It was also alleged that security forces set fire to the house of the general secretary of Kuki Inpi (Jiribam, Noney and Tamenglong), escalating tensions.These allegations come in the wake of operations by security forces at Phaitol and L Hengjol villages in Kangpokpi district on July 8 and 9, resulting in the arrest of three militants and seizure of three AK series rifles along with 1,382 rounds of ammunition. Manipur Police said the arrested Kukis were cadres of an underground outfit and were handed over to NIA along with the seized arms for legal action.In the letter, the ITLF argued, “Military operations will not bring peace to Manipur. The nature of the conflict — the death, destruction, and radicalisation of the Meitei community — means that the Kuki-Zo community will not be able to live a safe and dignified life in Manipur even if some semblance of peace is enforced by the military. For peace to last, we earnestly request that you, the Union Home Minister, expedite our demand for a political solution: a Union Territory with legislature for the Kuki-Zo community under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution.”The ITLF also accused the majority community of continuing an ethnic cleansing campaign against the KukiZos, claiming that the burning of Kuki-Zo houses in Jiribam by Arambai Tenggol persists. It also alleged that central security forces are focusing on rounding up KukiZo village defenders. “The NIA is also arresting people on terror charges for simply trying to protect their community. It should not be used as a tool for suppression. Genuine cases can be taken up after a political solution is in place,” read the open letter. “The recent instances of security forces arresting tribal volunteers and confiscating their weapons are not only blatantly unfair but also increase the vulnerability of Kuki-Zo villages along the foothills,” the letter stated.On CM N Biren Singh’s recent remarks about peace talks, the ITLF claimed ignorance of any such discussion. “The CM should stop spreading rumours to gain public support. If some people have taken part in any meeting, they are doing so in their personal capacity,” the letter noted.Moreover, to address concerns about “illegal immigration,” the ITLF suggested the govt document all those who have fled to Manipur due to the crisis in Myanmar, issue ID cards, and house the refugees in designated camps.