Manipur Guv's Pledge to save Koubru, Thangting Hills a prejudice against Kuki-Zo people: COTU Women Wing

The Governor of Manipur's recent pledge to save and preserve the Koubru and Thangting Hill and to guarantee the infamous Meira Paibis to go on a pilgrimage there is prejudice against a particular community, which is an abomination to his esteemed position, said the Women Wing of Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU).

In a press statement issued on Saturday, the leading Kuki-Zo body of Kangpokpi said, "This act of blatant political partisanship amid communal conflict clearly deviates from the principle -'without fear or favour' - expected of govt. servant who holds the highest position in the state."

"His statement is an implication of favoritism shown towards a particular community, which doesn't augur well for peace and harmony," it stated.

The Kuki-Zo tribal body alleged that such an absurd development came months after a dialogue with an unlawful organization - Arambai Tenggol at Raj Bhavan, which it said is a preposterous diplomatic effort, deserving contempt. "The conflict-ridden state of Manipur has witnessed an immeasurable discrimination towards a particular community - the Kuki-Zos, to whom JUSTICE seems to be an unattainable goal under His Excellency," COTU said.

The Committee asserted that the Meiteis claim of Koubru and Thangting hill, and to effectuate their so-called holy pilgrimage during this time of communal turmoil, is nothing more than a wicked effort to exacerbate the conflict.

The Governor is expected to account for the 300+ churches and 5000+ houses belonging to the Kuki-Zo people that were burnt and destroyed by the predominant Meitei population. The lack of justice, resettlement and rehabilitation, as well as compensation for the Kuki-Zo people, clearly indicates that political bias is at its highest point, the Committee alleged.

In order for peace negotiation to get under way, COTU demands, Mr. Korounganba, leader of an unlawful organization - Arambai Tenggol; Mr. Athouba, leader of COCOMI; Mr. Pramod Singh, leader of Meitei Leepun; Mr. Jadumani, leader of Federation of Haomee (FOH) who are directly involved in the genocide campaign against the Kuki-Zo people must first be prosecuted in accordance with the law and their arrest expedited.

Additionally, the Women Wing of COTU demanded that before favouring the Meitei aggressors of their cheap propaganda, the Governor should first rebuild and reconstruct 300+ churches and 5000+ houses belonging to the Kuki-Zo people if there is justice in the land.

"The primary function of the governor is to preserve, protect and defend the constitution and the law as incorporated but not to act in favour of a particular community the Meiteis, especially during this time of communal strife, while utterly disregarding the rights of the minority community- the Kuki-Zo people," it added.

The tribal Women Wing issued a stern warning to the infamous Meira Paibis to stop crossing buffer-zones until a meaningful dialogue is materialized under the Ministry of Home Affairs with the Kuki-Zo representatives.

Cautioning the Government of Manipur for taking calculated risks regardless of any fallout that may occur, the Kuki-Zo body asserted that they would meet them with firm resistance and fight them tooth and nail in case the Meiteis' Meira Paibis do so.