The stiff opposition to the state government’s plan to move in additional state forces into Moreh gained momentum as a massive protest was held across the Kuki-Zo community dominated areas on Monday.
Not only in Tengnoupal district, the Kuki-Zo tribals community on Monday came out on the street in large numbers in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur district as well against the state government move and demanded complete removal of the state security forces from the border town.
In Kangpokpi town, a massive sit-in-protest was organised on Monday under the aegis of Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills as it was done in Churachandpur under the aegis of Indigenous Tribal Leader’s Forum (ITLF).
As they feel the attempt to deploy additional state forces is “life-threatening” for the Kuki-Zo tribals, CoTU demanded the Centre to remove the state security forces including police commandos within 6 pm of July 31.
It also warned of a series of strong public agitations across the Kuki-Zo tribals-dominated areas if their demands are not meted within the stipulated time.
The sit-in-protest at Kangpokpi was also in solidarity with the Kuki-Zo people of the Tengnoupal District, especially the womenfolk who prevent the Manipur state security forces from entering the border town of Moreh since July 26.
Hundreds of Kuki-Zo people participated in the protest in opposition to the government’s ploy to deploy additional state security forces in Moreh and voiced their concerns toward their fellow Kuki-Zo womenfolk in Tengnoupal district.
CoTU general secretary Lamminlun Singsit said deploying additional state forces in Moreh will only heighten tension and lead to more violence.
He then warned that if the state security forces including the police commandos are not withdrawn within 6 pm of July 31, the Kuki-Zo community will be forced to launch a series of strong public agitations in all the Kuki-Zo tribal-dominated areas.
Meanwhile, COTU also submitted a representation to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the Deputy Commissioner Kangpokpi.
It stated that they are alarmed over the government’s attempt to station state forces in Moreh town in Tengnoupal District as Amit Shah had promised during his visit to Manipur that no state security forces would be stationed in Moreh.
The majority of civil and police officers in the Tengnoupal District are also from the majority community, including the Additional Superintendent of Police, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, and the Officer-in-Charge, it stated.
