📷 Image Credits: The Times of India
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a prominent Kuki organisation in Manipur, has penned an open letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging for the creation of a Union Territory with a legislature for the Kuki-Zo community under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution. The letter comes in the wake of recent incidents in Phaitol, Mongbung, Noney, and Tamenglong, where central security forces were alleged to have mistreated Kuki-Zo village volunteers.
In the letter, the ITLF condemned the arrests of two village volunteers, including a juvenile, from Phaitol village, and the reported beating of seven Kuki women by security forces. They also highlighted the arrest of three village volunteers following an arson attack on a chief’s house, along with accusations of setting fire to residences belonging to community leaders, exacerbating local tensions.
The ITLF expressed concerns about the apparent targeting and harassment of the Kuki-Zo community, stating that the majority community in Manipur continues to control the state’s resources and engage in ethnic cleansing activities against the Kuki-Zos. They criticized the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for arresting individuals on terror charges without proper political solutions in place.
Furthermore, the ITLF demanded the introduction of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in certain areas of Manipur to disarm everyone and retrieve stolen weapons. They emphasized the need for a fair and balanced approach by security forces and called out Chief Minister Biren Singh for alleged misinformation regarding peace talks.
The forum highlighted the ongoing conflicts and tensions in Manipur, underscoring the urgency for a political solution to ensure the safety and well-being of the Kuki-Zo community. The ITLF’s appeal to Amit Shah seeks to address the grievances and injustices faced by the Kuki-Zos and advocates for the establishment of a Union Territory to protect their rights and interests.
