Manipur violence: CoTU rally triggers blockade on national highways NH-2 and NH-37

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, has declared its decision to close NH-2 and NH-37, which pass through Sadar Hills Kangpokpi, starting from midnight on August 20, during a massive rally held today at Kangpokpi. The rally was organized to protest the prejudicial remarks made by Home Minister Amit Shah and the violation of Kuki-Zo freedom of thought and expression.

CoTU's massive rally aimed to protest Home Minister Amit Shah's alleged prejudicial remarks about the Kuki-Zo people in Parliament, and to denounce the alleged violation of Kuki-Zo's freedom of thought and expression.

Thousands of Kuki-Zo people across Kangpokpi District, including men and women of all ages, participated in CoTU's massive rally from Brig. M. Thomas ground to the DC office Kangpokpi.

CoTU's leaders also submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of India through the DC Kangpokpi.

On the sidelines of the protest rally, CoTU's General Secretary stated that the rally was organized to protest the irresponsible remarks made by the Union Home Minister in the Lok Sabha on August 9. It was also meant to show solidarity with Kuki-Zo Academics and Intellectuals who were facing baseless FIRs. The rally aimed to protest against the ongoing attacks by Meitei militants.

Strongly demanding the revocation of all alleged baseless FIRs filed against Kuki-Zo academics and intellectuals, including individuals like Dr. Jangkhomang Guite, Dr. Thongkholal Haokip, Colonel (Retd.) Dr. Vijay Chenji, Professor Kham Khan Suan Hausing, Dr. Mary Grace Zou, WL Hangshing, Glady Vaiphei Hunjan, Ginza Vualzong, Loon Gangte, and the Zomi Students Federation, CoTU's General Secretary stated that filing FIRs against individuals and organizations for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of thought and expression is illegal. This action reflects the moral bankruptcy of the dominant community, which seems intent on suppressing the rights of minorities.

The General Secretary also demanded that the Union Home Minister withdraw his statements in the Lok Sabha, where he wrongly accused the non-existent "Kuki Democratic Front" and "Kuki brothers" from Myanmar of causing turmoil. He asserted, "Concealing the real cause of the violence for majoritarian appeasement will only lead to continuous political instability." He emphasized that the Union Home Minister should act in accordance with empirical evidence of the ethnic cleansing carried out through the abuse of state machinery.

Singsit also pointed out that the Army and Central Forces stationed in the Valley areas lack AFSPA, making them appear powerless and physically obstructed by the Meira Paibis. This paves the way for Secessionist groups to operate freely, carrying out attacks, arson, and killing innocent Kuki-Zo people.

He then demanded that the Centre immediately re-impose AFSPA in the valley to control sporadic violence and the killing of innocent Kuki-Zo people by valley miscreants.

In connection with its three-day ultimatum regarding the National Highways issue, Singsit reiterated that the Government of India had done nothing to stop valley extremists from obstructing goods meant for Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.

He pointed out that, in fact, a vaccine van carrying medical supplies for Kangpokpi and Senapati districts was stopped by Meira Paibis at Sekmai on August 18, and all medical items meant for Kangpokpi district were destroyed.

He also said that the attack on Kuki-Zo villages is continuing unabated. On August 18, Meitei miscreants brutally murdered three innocent villagers from Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong district.

Therefore, in protest against the Indian government's failure to protect innocent Kuki-Zo communities and ensure the free movement of goods meant for hill districts, COTU decided to re-impose the blockade on National Highway-2 and National Highway-37 starting from midnight on Sunday, August 20.

In its memorandum to the Prime Minister, the Committee on Tribal Unity, Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi about various issues and urged him to address them.

The memorandum stated that the Kuki-Zo people were deeply hurt by the irresponsible statement made by the Union Home Minister on August 9. It deepened the wounds of the Kuki-Zo people, who are victims of ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the majority Meitei community. The memorandum requested the Prime Minister's Office to instruct the Union Home Minister to withdraw his statements.

The memorandum also stated that the Kuki-Zo people were saddened to learn that academics and intellectuals from the Kuki-Zo tribal communities faced a series of FIRs registered by various individuals and organizations of the Majority Community. The memorandum urged the Prime Minister to examine the undemocratic filing of FIRs, allowing critical-thinking academics and intellectuals space for constructive analysis of the ongoing turmoil.

CoTU's memorandum also emphasized that the majority Meitei community had looted 6,000 automatic weapons from various state armories and private gunhouses in Imphal. The State police had only recovered about 1,000 arms, with 90% of these weapons still in the hands of radicalized groups. Additionally, secessionist groups based in Myanmar had trespassed into Indian territory during this conflict. It was deemed essential to re-impose the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the Six valley districts and hill districts. This measure was necessary for law enforcement agencies, including paramilitary forces and armies, to contain further escalation of violence and bring disarmament in the state.

The memorandum further pointed out that due to the gravity of the situation and the state government's complicity in the ethnic cleansing pogrom committed by the majority Meitei community, independent institutions and agencies with special powers needed to investigate. This was especially crucial as recent CBI investigators were obstructed by radicalized Meira-Paibis at Manipur Police Training College on June 22. Therefore, cases taken up by the Supreme Court and FIRs registered by CBIs were to be given utmost importance, ensuring prompt delivery of justice.

Regarding justice for sexual assault victims, CoTU mentioned that it was saddening to learn that numerous Kuki-Zo women had been sexually assaulted, with some even being gang-raped and murdered. The notorious act of parading two Kuki-Zo women had sparked a worldwide outcry. The rape and murder of two Kuki-Zo girls employed at a car wash in Imphal had not received the attention it deserved, as it was done secretly. The victims' families were still seeking justice. The memorandum emphasized the need for exemplary punishment for all perpetrators, preventing the use of women's bodies as tools for provocations. Careful consideration was crucial when delivering justice to sexual assault victims during the conflict.

Regarding the demand for separate administration as the only solution, CoTU apprised the Prime Minister that the boundary of emotional and territorial integrity had been drawn in blood. The ulterior motives of wiping out the Kuki-Zo community were evident from the aggression and media coverage.

Practically, the demographic and geographical division between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo community was complete. The memorandum expressed hope and prayer for successful bipartite political talks between the Government of India and the two umbrella groups, namely Kuki National Organisations and United People's Front. The aim was to establish a Separate Administration as soon as possible.

CoTU urged the Prime Minister to take a sympathetic view of the aforementioned issues, ensuring justice prevailed to prevent a recurrence of intense violence. The memorandum emphasized the need for the word "Peace" to be established and consolidated between the two communities.