ITLF Secy expressed nothing unconstitutional, says Kuki Inpi Chandel

The words expressed by Muan Tombing, Secretary Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), is the voice of the suppressed Kuki-Zo people seeking justice within the purview of the Indian Constitution and "nothing unconstitutional", said the Kuki Inpi Chandel on Wednesday.

"The Kuki Inpi Chandel is appalled at the filing of an FIR against the General Secretary of ITLF, Muan Tombing by the OC of Churachandpur Police Station on 18 November, 2023 with regard to his speech on self-governance for the Kuki-Zo tribals in Manipur," it said.

In a statement, the apex body of Kuki tribes in Chandel district said since the outbreak of the conflict on May 3, hundreds of innocent Kuki-Zo civilians have been murdered and even those who survived were chased out of the state capital and its periphery with no possibility of returning to their homes. While Meitei civil societies declared war on Kuki-Zo tribals, the state government openly sided with the Meitei community and the Manipur police commandos have been spearheading attacks on Kuki-Zo villages, it said.

KIC said: "All Kuki-Zo MLAs and government employees can no longer reach Imphal-the valley of death, and are unable to perform their constitutional duties."

It noted that the Kuki-Zo tribals have not received any help from the state government. Even the aids from the Central government like medicine, food and other essential items are routed through Mizoram as Meitei mobs continue to block any material from reaching Kuki-Zo tribal areas. The Kuki-Zo tribals are unable to access highways and airport of the state. As it is evident, the government of Manipur is no longer for the Kuki-Zo tribals.

In view of the above facts, the Kuki body continued, the people are compelled to demand a political solution in the form of a Separate Administration from Manipur under the ambit of the Indian constitution. "While the Kuki-Zo tribals are waiting for the Central government to work out the modalities of the political solution, we need to govern ourselves so that our lawmakers and government servants can continue performing their constitutional duties," it added.

The Kuki Inpi Chandel also mentioned that FIRs have been filed against the Kuki-Zo leaders and intellectuals in an attempt to silence the voice of minority Kuki-Zo people. The charges against ITLF General Secretary are baseless, unwarranted and part of a conspiracy to derail the political solution for the Kuki-Zo tribals, it said.

Storngly condemning the charges levelled against Muan Tombing, the Kuki Inpi Chandel demanded immediate withdrawal of the FIR against him unconditionally.