How do those supposedly innocent civilians die in tribal Kuki-Zo villages on June 13; asks ITLF

In response to the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integration (COCOMI)'s recent press statement on the sacrifice of Meiteis' volunteers to not go in vain, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) on Thursday raised serious question to COCOMI as to how those supposedly Meitei innocent civilians died in tribal Kuki-Zo villages on June 13, 2023 at Khamenlok area, under Saikul Sub-Division, Kangpokpi district.

A press release issued on Thursday stated that on 14th of June, the COCOMI issued a statement valorizing the “Supreme sacrifices” of supposed Meitei “volunteers” who had died in the attacks on Kuki Zo villages like H. Khopibung, Khamenlok, Chullouphai, P. Phainom, Aigejang, Thambol, Jordanphai, Songjang and Govajang in Kangpokpi district over the past 3 days. ITLF stated that all it takes is a simple search in Google map to know that the villages are tribal Kuki Zo villages with the nearest Meitei village at least a few kilometers away.

"This then begs the question, how did those supposedly ‘innocent civilians’ die in a tribal Kuki Zo village?," asked ITLF.

The Tribal Leaders said the only logical conclusion was that the Meiteis were part of the constant attacks on the tribal villages in the area, and stood firm that the Village Defense Volunteers have no option but to defend themselves when attacks were made on the tribal villages.

ITLF mentioned that the COCOMI had already declared a proxy war on the alleged “Chin Kuki Narco Terrorism” on 7th June as propaganda to mobilize Meitei mobs and justify the unending attacks on Kuki Zo villages. "This goes in line with open threats of genocide against the Kuki Zo tribals made by Pramot Singh, chief of Meitei Leepun on National Television," it said.

Enough evidence has already been made public of the complicity of the state in allowing these radical groups to have a free reign on the people. The Central Armed Forces have been doing their best to establish peace by creating buffer zones between Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribal areas, ITLF said.

However, the ITLF statement stated, it has been reported that large Meitei mobs, numbering in the thousands, and consisting of a large number of Women (Meira Paibis) blocked the central forces from reinforcing the affected areas of conflict while those villages were attacked.

"Today marks the end of the 15 day call for peace made by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah during visit to Manipur. Far from complying with the requests of the Union Minister, there has been a heightened second wave of attacks on Kuki-Zo villages in Sugnu, Kangchup and Khopibung areas," it said.

ITLF also stated that the tribal population will never feel safe as long as the communal state and its radical agents are allowed to freely terrorize Kuki-Zo villages. There is an urgent need to provide security to the Kuki-Zo tribal villages from the unending incursions by Meitei militants.

The ITLF reiterated that the need has been cleared for the immediate imposition of President’s Rule in the state in order to create conditions for peace and dialogue.

It further stated that the institutional oppression of the Kuki-Zo tribals is clearly seen in the current crisis as insensitive orders were issued by various state institutions concerning the resumption of classes for college students, attendance of offices for government servants, etc., knowing fully that the only thing that the Kuki-Zo tribals had been hunted down from the valley. Those who survived the May Massacre were left with just their bare clothes and the scarred memories of their loved ones being killed in the open streets.

"All that awaits the tribals in the valley is death and even more oppression," it stated, and added that the situation necessitated the total separation of administration of the Kuki-Zo tribals from Manipur.

"This is the only solution that safeguards and protects the lives of the tribals from the oppression of the state of Manipur, and ensure lasting peace in the region," ITLF added.