CoTU warns Manipur peace efforts will fail without impartial security response

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) on October 21 accused security forces of biased and selective action in Manipur, alleging that authorities responded differently to security concerns depending on the community affected, as a 24-hour shutdown disrupted normal life across Kangpokpi district.

CoTU spokesperson NG Lun Kipgen made the allegations at a press conference held in connection with the shutdown, which began at midnight on Tuesday. The organisation called the protest against what it described as the biased and selective conduct of security forces since the formation of the popular government in the state.

Business establishments, private institutions, educational institutions and vehicular movement remained largely shut across Kangpokpi district, causing widespread disruption. No untoward incident was reported during the shutdown, which was scheduled to end at midnight on Wednesday.

Kipgen expressed anguish over the killing of three Meitei civilians in the Khongbal-Khamenlok incident on October 19 and condemned the violence. However, he questioned the preparedness of security forces and the police response to public grievances.

He alleged that while authorities responded to concerns raised by the Meitei community, they remained indifferent to Kuki-Zo grievances over the reported razing of Chassad village and delays in deploying security personnel to vulnerable areas.

Citing incidents in Noney, Kamjong and Ukhrul, as well as a recent incident at Monghing, Kipgen alleged that delayed deployment and inadequate security had contributed to the deaths of Kuki-Zo civilians, including pregnant women and children.

The CoTU spokesperson also recalled the Kuki-Zo community's support for the formation of the popular government, saying the decision had been guided by faith in the Constitution despite what he described as three years of ethnic persecution.

He warned that efforts to restore peace and normalcy would remain ineffective if policies perceived as favouring one community over another continued to influence the state's political discourse.

“The hard-earned effort for restoration of peace and civility would remain meaningless” unless the alleged policy of appeasement was abandoned, Kipgen said.

Appealing to people in both the hill and valley areas, he cautioned against what he described as deliberate attempts to undermine dialogue between the communities and prolong the conflict for political interests.

He urged people not to be swayed by propaganda or divisive ideologies, stressing the need for restraint, dialogue and peaceful coexistence.