The Committee on Tribal Unity, or CoTU, Sadar Hills Kangpokpi district apprised the Union Home Minister through a representation submitted through Deputy Commissioner Kangpokpi on Moreh issue on the second day of its total shutdown today.
The CoTU Sadar Hills Kangpokpi and KSO General Headquarters have imposed a 48-hour total shutdown from midnight of Nov.1 in protest against the alleged forceful occupation of border town Moreh in Tengnoupal District by the Meiteis.
The Kuki-Zo people from Kangpokpi led by the leaders of CoTU marched towards the DC Kangpokpi office from National Highway-2 and submitted the representation to the DC Kangpokpi to be forwarded to the Union Home Minister.
The District Magistrate, Mahesh Chaudhari, who is also the Deputy Commissioner Kangpokpi assured the leaders of CoTU to do the needful.
Speaking to the media, CoTU's General Secretary, Lamminlun Singsit said that the forceful occupation of Moreh is the ill-design of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to provide a safe haven to Meitei insurgents from Myanmar who are facing the being of the Democratic Alliance Army.
He said that these outlawed Meitei illegal insurgents from Myanmar who are part of the anti-democratic alliance seeking refuge in Moreh, are pursuing separation from India and they should not be welcome in Moreh at any cost.
He also said that the barbaric activities of the Meitei forces currently in Moreh such as demolishing houses, looting church money and burning vehicles is condemnable and the culprits should be immediately prosecuted.
"Therefore, immediate withdrawal of Meitei insurgents disguised as state forces and the state Meitei police officers is the need of the hour and the central forces should be the sole authority of tackling law and order in Kuki-Zo areas", he asserted.
He further said that until our demands are given the attention it deserves, the Kuki-Zo populace will stand tooth and nail to fight the state terrorism in any form deemed fit for our survival.
The Committee on Tribal Unity in its representation to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the forceful occupation of Moreh by Meitei insurgents disguised as state forces have triggered another wave of violence in Manipur and urged the Union Home Minister to take necessary immediate humanitarian action.
It stated that the repeated arms and ammunition looted at the state armoury in Manipur clearly indicated the support of the political class, the latest of such seizure on November 1 at the armoury in first Manipur Rifles came after the clarion call of Sanajaoba Leisemba, the Rajya Sabha MP in one of his social media post, which read, "Be prepared my dear children".
Three CRPF personnel sustained bullet injuries in the attack and several assault rifles and rounds of ammunition were confiscated by the Meitei insurgents.
The insurgents also looted arms and ammunition from the escort personnel of IGP Zone-I and from the security guards of Manipur Central Jail, old Lambulane, Imphal, it stated.
The committee also highlighted to the Union Home Minister that the Arambai Tengol, Meitei Leepun and various insurgent groups operating in the valley are under the direct command of N.Biren Singh and Sanajaoba Leisemba while alleging that it is only under their direction, the arms and ammunition are looted and the Meitei police officers are directed by the two political maestro to concede to the attacks.
Such countless events of handing over the state arms and ammunition to Meitei insurgents have occurred since the start of the ethnic cleansing. The looted cases are stage managed as it is supported by the evidence of CBI unable to probe the infamous MPTC arms loot case, it stated.
It also stated that the Meira Paibis are used to conceal the loopholes among the bureaucracy and the political class.
The committee in its representation further stated to the Union Home Minister that in connection with the arms and ammunition loot cases, it is pertinent to conduct a special investigation by an SIT monitored by the courts.
"Insurgents, Police officers and Political class involved should not be spared", urged the Committee to the Union Home Minister.
The committee reminded the Union Home Minister that the assurance he had given on his visit to Moreh on May 31 to remove all Meitei State forces by replacing them with neutral forces of the centre is yet to be materialized.
It then apprised the Union Home Minister that to avoid another wave of Meitei insurgents-aggression in Moreh and in other parts of Kuki-Zo dominated area, the security advisor and the Governor should play a vital role as an intermediary to see that your assurance is fulfilled.
Reminding the Union Home Minister of his verbal affirmation that the valley should be under the watch of N.Biren Singh and the Hills under his watch, the Committee apprised the Union Home Minister that the prolonged presence of Meitei forces in Kuki-Zo areas is an intimidation to spoil the existing tranquillity.
It also stated that as the ongoing conflict is a communal conflict supported by the state, most of the state machineries are compromised and the need for implementing impartial policies such as installing immediate Helipad at Kangpokpi is very crucial and the airway should connect Churachandpur and Moreh for relieving the burdens of emergency travellers.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128