Kuki-Zo in Kangpokpi condemns Thawai killing, KIM condoles, CoTU demands reinstallation of AR

The Kuki-Zo community in Kangpokpi District condemned the brutal killing of three innocent Kuki village volunteers at Thawai this early morning in Kamjong district.

Hundreds of womenfolk in Kangpokpi district came out along the National Highway-2 disrupting the traffic as they protested the killing of trio at Thawai allegedly by the Meitei militants.

The protestors shouted slogans, "We Want Justice", "We Want Assam Rifles", "We Want AFSPA", etc.

A woman protestor said that the three Kuki-Zo village volunteers were brutally killed and mutilated barely two days after chief minister of Manipur on India's Independence Day called for 'forgive and forget' and to live peacefully like before, which clearly demonstrated that he appealed was not even listen by his own people and community and he has no more authority as the state Chief Minister.

The disappointed woman protestor urged the Centre to intervene and delivered justice to the three innocent Thawai villagers and reimposed AFSPA in the state at the earliest.

The Committee on Tribal Committee (CoTU) while vehemently condemning the brutal and premeditated attack on Thawai Kuki Village under the Litan Police Station in Kamjong District alleged well-equipped armed militants from the valley for the crime.

CoTU's Media Cell Coordinator, Ng. Lun Kipgen said that the deceased persons are Jamkhogin Haokip (35), S/o Doukholun Haokip was murdered by cracking his skull while Thangkhokai Haokip (31), s/o Doulet Haokip, and Hollenson Baite(21), s/o Lhunkhothang Baite was decapitated.

He said that the heinous crime was the outcome of the complicity of the state administration and the recent transferred of Assam Rifles from Litan area as demanded by the Meitei communities including the Meira Paibis against the wishes of the minority Kuki-Zo Community.

Therefore, we demanded immediate reinstallation of the Assam Rifles in all the peripheral areas, including Litan so that the villages of Thawai Kuki and other Kuki-Zo villages are secured and protected, he added.

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) also appealed to the Government of India to re-impose AFSPA (Arms Forces Special Power Act) in all valley districts of Manipur, as in the hill districts, to thwart secessionist Meitei militants and instil confidence amongst the minority communities in the State.

Meanwhile, Kuki Inpi Manipur conveyed deep anguish over the ruthless murder of three Kuki Village Volunteers this morning at Thawai Kuki village in Kamjong District.

KIM Information and Publicity Secretary, Janghaolun Haokip said that the three brave-hearts were mercilessly killed while guarding their village from Meitei Terrorists.

He said that the brutal murder of the three brave volunteers is an attestation of the monstrous attitude of the Meiteis, particularly of the Myanmar based Meitei terrorists and the Manipur state forces who have actively been engaged in the cold-blooded attacks against Kukis.

He also said that the attack is altogether distressing especially in the hand of the total disregard for the demand for a political solution for the Kukis despite the incessant attack against our people by the Meitei terrorists in collusion with the state government and the Meitei masses like the Meira Paibis, Arambai Tenggol, Meetei Leepun, etc.

"The precious lives lost today is an urgent call to the Central Government to act as Separate Administration for the Kukis is legitimate and inevitable, and the Central Government must recognise it now to avoid further bloodshed of the innocent", he asserted.

He also said that our hearts and prayers are with the families of these brave martyrs for our land and our people and may the almighty be a solace, and may their souls rest in eternal peace.