Kuki-Zo community sets today as the deadline to withdraw Manipur state forces from Moreh

A massive sit-in-protest was organized today at Kangpokpi town under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi district. The sit-in-protest was held in solidarity with the Kuki-Zo people of the Tengnoupal District, especially the womenfolk who prevent the Manipur state security forces from entering the border town of Moreh since July 26.

Hundreds of Kuki-Zo people mostly women across the Kangpokpi district participated in the protest demonstrating their stiff opposition to the Manipur Government’s ploy to deploy additional state security forces in Moreh and voice their concerns toward their fellow Kuki-Zo womenfolk in Tengnoupal district who are strongly resisting the entry of the state security forces to the border town.

The protestors held aloft playcards carrying messages describing “Withdraw Commando who killed us”, “Killer Commando Go Back”, “Remove Commando from Moreh”, “We Don’t Want Communal Force”, “To Reign Peace in Moreh Town, Remove Manipur Police Commando”, etc. The protestors also raised their voices in unison, shouting slogans such as “We Want Centre Intervention”, “Go Back Manipur Police Commando”, “Implement Separate Administration”, “Meiteis Are Rapist Community”, etc.

One of the Kuki-Zo women leaders of Kangpokpi district, Neinu, said that we have “no faith” in any security personnel of the state government and the Manipur Government’s intention in sending more state security forces into Moreh is “life-threatening” for the Kuki-Zo tribals as there are a significant number of Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun often camouflaging themselves as Commandos, IRB, and other state forces.

She added that since India and the rest of the world had already witnessed Kuki-Zo women being paraded naked, raped, and sexually assaulted, the same thing could occur at any time, anywhere in Manipur. For this reason, we urgently need the protection of the Centre security forces rather than the state forces, who had previously permitted their own women to be paraded naked, raped, and assaulted. Then, she continued, “As we stand in solidarity with our fellow Kuki-Zo women in Tengnoupal District, the Centre for the complete removal of the state security forces, including the police commandos from Moreh while halting the attempt to deploy additional state security forces in the area.”

CoTU’s General Secretary, Lamminlun Singsit said that N.Biren Singh led Manipur Government’s aggressive attempt to deploy additional state security forces in Kuki-Zo tribal-dominated Moreh “will only heighten tension and lead to more violence” as it is common knowledge that the state forces are in favor of the majority Meitei community. He then warned that if the state security forces including the police commandos are not withdrawn within 6:00 pm today 31st July, the Kuki-Zo community will be forced to launch a series of strong public agitations in all the Kuki-Zo tribal-dominated areas.

Concerning the Manipur government’s intention to station state security personnel in Moreh town in Tengnoupal District notwithstanding your promise to keep that vow made during your visit to Manipur.

The Kuki-Zo tribal women in Tengnoupal District are obstructing the highway in an effort to prevent the state troops from entering the border town because it is well known that Meitei security forces openly favour the majority group in the ongoing conflict. There are also worries that the police commandos have been infiltrated by members of the terrorist Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun, who could cause chaos if they penetrate Moreh.

According to the report, the Additional Superintendent of Police, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, and Officer-in-Charge are all members of the majority community, as are the majority of the civil and police employees in the Tengnoupal District.

Therefore, we ask that you remove all state security forces from Moreh in order to preserve fairness and neutrality as well as to uphold peace and normalcy, according to CoTU’s position.