Imphal: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) has issued an open letter to union home minister Amit Shah, expressing serious concerns over alleged high-handedness by central agencies towards Kuki-Zo village volunteers amidst ongoing ethnic conflicts in Manipur.
The letter highlights several incidents, particularly in the villages of Phaitol and Mongbung in Jiribam district of Manipur, where central security forces allegedly assaulted seven Kuki women and detained two young villagers.
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The ITLF also reported the arrest of three Kuki volunteers following an arson attack and the burning of residences belonging to community leaders.
The ITLF accused the Meitei community of orchestrating an ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zo population in Manipur, citing recent acts of alleged violence and arson carried out by members of Arambai Tenngol.
It also criticised the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) approach, alleging that tribal defenders are being arrested on terror charges “without any political resolution in sight”.
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The letter also drew attention to security imbalances, claiming that “Meitei militants” are operating freely in the state capital with stolen weaponry, while Kuki-Zo villages are subjected to intensified combing operations.
“Military operations will not bring peace to Manipur. The nature of the conflict – the death, destruction, and radicalisation of the Meitei community – means that the Kuki-Zo community will not be able to live a safe and dignified life in Manipur even if some semblance of peace is enforced by the military. For peace to last, we earnestly request that the Union Home Minister expedite our demand for a political solution: a Union Territory with the legislature for the Kuki-Zo community under Article 239 A of the Indian Constitution,” said Munan Tombig, general secretary of ITLF.
The ITLF called for equitable action and proposed the implementation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Imphal and the valley areas of Manipur to curb the circulation of illegal weapons and ensure security.
Addressing accusations of illegal immigration and drug-related stereotypes, the ITLF urged the government to undertake comprehensive documentation of refugees and rejected the stigmatization of the entire community.
They also challenged Manipur chief minister Biren Singh’s claims of ongoing peace talks, asserting that tribal leaders have not been involved in any such discussions.