HM peace mission still elusive; ITLF condemns Meiteis militias' continued juggernaut on Kuki-Zo tribes

Even as Amit Shah is in Manipur for a peace mission, meeting several community leaders, the State police commandos and Meitei militant groups continued their alleged genocidal rampage against the Kukis-Zo people in bordering areas of the two ethnic communities.

Amit Shah had earlier appealed for maintaining of peace for 15 days to the tribal people yesterday. However, sources said, gun firing attacks on Kuki-Zo tribal villages still continued since yesterday night till today (May 31, 2023) in Sugnu area, about 35 kms from Churachandpur town.

"Even as the violence in Manipur continues, the state's complicity in the selected targeting of Kuki-Zo tribals becomes more evident daily," Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) said.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, ITLF stated that as recent as yesterday, even as the Union Home Minister, Mr. Amit Shah, and other dignitaries from the Centre met with the tribal leaders in Lamka, these radical groups were attacking and burning more than two Kuki-Zo villages in Maphou Dam area.

ITLF strongly condemned those incessant attacks and attempts at ethnic cleansing of their community, even as the Union Home Minister appealed for peace.

"No semblance of peace and justice can ever be reached as long as the state government is given free rein over matters of security and administration, as seen in its communal stand against the tribal community," it stated.

ITLF also stated that the previous two days witnessed the handing over of 1500+ sophisticated weapons, covered by state media in the garb of looting weapons from the armoury of regular Battalion HQ of Manipur Rifles and Indian Reserved Battalions (IRB) in Imphal valley for the second time since May 3, 2023. It should also be mentioned that on May 4, 2023, arms looting happened at Manipur Police Training College, Pangei and at 9 Mahila IRB (Khuman Lampak). On 5th of May, 4 IRB and 5 IRB armoury at Korengei were looted, and on May 28" and 29", 3 IRB Thoubal, 7 MR Khabeisoi, 8 IRB Khabeisoi, 6 IRB Khabeisoi, and DGP Pool bullets inventory were respectively looted.

"This coordinated looting of government weaponry in the heart of the state capital by radicalized groups like the Arambai Tengol and Meitei Leepun, mostly believed to consist of ex-valley-based insurgent cadres, is possible with the tacit support of the state police forces, the statement stated, and added that the weapons supplied to these groups were used to attack and destroy over 30 tribal villages along the Imphal Valley's foothills," ITLF alleged.

The tribal leaders also said that those attacks on tribal villages took place over the past few days despite the presence and stationing of security camps/posts manned by the Army/Assam Rifles/BSF/CRPF forces for providing security to these vulnerable villages, which clearly showed the level of audacity portrayed by those dominant radical groups among the Meitei community who have the support of the Government of Manipur to exterminate Kuki-Zo tribal villages in an attempted second wave of ethnic cleansing.

ITLF listed down the Kuki-Zo Tribal Villages bunt down by radicalized Meitei Armed Groups in the aftermath of the looting of Arms and Ammunitions from State Police Armouries on 28 & 29 May, 2023, namely, Sugnu Lokhijang, Sugnu Lamhang, Sugnu Zouveng, Sugnu Tribal, Langching and H.Gamnom, under the jurisdiction of Sugnu Police Station of Chandel District.

The name of villages burnt down by the Meitei armed groups on 30th of May 2023 included T Munnomjang, L Nomjang, Kholen, Gothol, Boipu Veng, B Jangnomphai, B. Salemphai and P Saronphai, in Chandel district.

The total number of houses burnt down in Chandel district was approximately 350 houses, and estimated Displaced Persons were 1750.

In Kangpokpl District, under the jurisdiction of Yaingangpokpi Police Station, the Meitei militias burnt down three villages- Twichin, Phaimol and Molnomphai on 29 May, 2023. The total houses burnt down included 80 houses approximately and estimated Displaced Persons were about 400 (approx.)

And under the jurisdiction of Maphou Dam Police Station, Beulahland and Bongjang villages were burnt down on 29 May, 2023. In the same police jurisdiction of Maphou Dam, seven villages such as Saichang, Molkon, Molnom, Chaningpokpi, Kamu, Nongdam Kuki and Maphou Kuki were burnt down on May 30, 2023.

The total houses burnt down under thr Maphou Dam Police jurisdiction were about 380 and estimated Displaced Persons- 1900 approx.

Under the jurisdiction of Saikul Police Station on 28 May, 2023, two tribal villages- Molhoi and Wakonphai were burnt down; and total houses burnt down were 50 approx., and estimated Displaced Persons were 300 approximately.

Under the jurisdiction of Moirang Police Station, in Lamka (Churachandpur) district, P. Gelmol, Ujungmakhong and Phoisanbung were burnt down by the majority community during 26-28 May, 2023, and total houses burnt down included 85 approx., and estimated Displaced Persons: 450 approx.