CoTU lifts a month-long economic blockade in Kangpokpi, total shutdown along NH-37, held sit in protest

The Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills decided to lift its month-long economic blockade along the two important highways passing through Kangpokpi district.

CoTU had re-imposed the economic blockade on August 21 demanding adequate supplies of essential commodities to Kuki-Zo communities in hill areas of the state. CoTU Sadar Hills Kangpokpi began the blockade on NH-2 which connects Imphal with Nagaland's Dimapur and NH 37 which links Imphal with Assam's Silchar.

CoTU's decision to lift the economic blockade as it considered the political dialogue between the Government of India and the UPF-KNO has reached an advanced crossroads.

CoTU's General Secretary, Lamminlun Singsit said that we are delighted to learn that the political dialogue between GoI and UPF-KNO is at a very advanced stage and has reached a crossroads.

He said that we have also learned that a charter of demand for the formation of a separate Union Territory has been submitted by leaders of UPF and KNO in New Delhi and a formulation has already been submitted to the office of the Union Home Minister.

He continued that the Government of India is most likely to respond very soon and we hope that the aged old political issue of the Kuki-Zo people shall be resolved once and for all.

Therefore, in order to pave the way for a political solution, CoTU has decided to lift the economic blockade until further notification, he added.

He also said that if the need arises to resort to agitations and protests, CoTU shall reconsider the same.

CoTU also lifted the total shutdown along the National Highway-37 over the alleged abduction of the a Kuki-Zo individuals from New Keithelmanbi area as the alleged abducted was reportedly found safe and sound y the New Keithelmanbi police, Kangpokpi district.

CoTU expressed profound gratitude to the district police for their tireless effort in finding the man.

Meanwhile, a sit-in-protest organized by CoTU's Women Wing under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills Kangpokpi today in connection with the arrest of Kuki-Zo individuals by the Central Agencies, CBI and NIA demand the unconditional release of the arrested individuals.

Hundreds of people mostly Kuki-Zo women from Saparmeina and its adjoining areas in the Kangpokpi district participated in the protest.

The protesters shouted slogans such as, "We want justice", "We want Separate administration", etc.

They also hold placards that read, "You can bend the law, but, you cannot bend Justice", "NIA and CBI should distance from politics", "CBI and NIA should act as Central Agencies, not a state puppets", "Don't misuse central agencies for political mileage", "We want non-partisan agency", "We don't want Meitei eccentric CBI and NIA", "Don't take our gullibility as weakness", "Meiteis trampled the Constitution, Centre should not follow suit", "power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely", "We demand Separate Administration", "We want Separate Administration for judicious action", etc.

Speaking to the media on the sideline of the protest, CoTU's Media Cell Coordinator, Ng. Lun Kipgen said that the Kuki-Zo individuals were arrested by the central agencies on flimsy ground by tracking a mobile phone and we want to ask what about those cases with video evidence.

He also wondered when the central agencies are quick enough to arrest on flimsy ground, why delay in arresting those involved in the murder, parading Kuki-Zo women naked, raped, etc. with video evidence.

He said that the arrest of Kuki-Zo individuals by the central agencies with a mere link of evidence cannot suffice and does not board well and suffice the Kuki-Zo community.

He then appealed to the centre not to play with the central agencies such as CBI and NIA while adding that you can bend the law but you cannot bend justice.

He then said that we need equal treatment from the centre with regard to arrests or any investigation carried out by the central agencies such as CBI and NIA.

CoTU Women Wing's Convenor, Neinu said that when the Meitei insurgents who brutally murdered Seigunlal Misao at Motbung in March are yet to be booked even after six months, the CBI is swift enough to make a biased arrest on the Kuki-Zo people.

She also said that the CBI is also yet to arrest those involved in the looting of arms and ammunition in the state armories and there are many cases with photos and video evidence but the CBI and the NIA are ignoring the facts.

While strongly condemning the alleged selective justice, the CoTU women's wing also demands the immediate unconditional release of the Kuki-Zo individuals arrested by the central agencies.