News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/23rd June 2024
Leaders from Kuki bodies have issued a unified statement condemning the ongoing ethnic cleansing in Manipur. They describe the violence as state-sponsored and are demanding immediate political intervention.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and other prominent tribal organizations have voiced their deep concerns regarding the persistent persecution faced by minority tribes in the region. The statement, endorsed by leaders such as Pagin Haokip of ITLF and ThanglenKipgen of the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), sheds light on the targeted attacks that aim to displace these communities from their ancestral lands. “The majority’s intent to kill and displace us is clear, but we stand firm in our fight for a dignified life, free from fear and oppression,” the statement emphasizes.
Kuki leaders are also opposing initiatives that could further divide their communities, especially the proposed removal of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border. They argue that such actions would forcibly separate families and disrupt the centuries-old connections shared with neighboring regions like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
In addition, the leaders have criticized the Manipur government’s decision to conduct Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections amidst the ongoing conflict. They view this as a tactic to undermine tribal unity. “We urge our people to reject these elections until our political demands for equality and autonomy are met,” the statement asserts.
Recent violence in the Jiribam district has escalated tensions, with tribal leaders accusing radical factions of deliberately destabilizing previously peaceful areas. They are appealing to the central government to establish a buffer zone to protect minority tribal lives in these affected regions.
The tribal leaders are calling for a swift political resolution and demanding the central government’s urgent attention to their long-standing demand for Union Territory status with a legislature under Article 239A. They have also announced plans for a mass rally on June 24, 2024, in several districts as a demonstration of unity and determination. “It is time for the center to listen and act decisively to end the suffering of our people,” the leaders stated.
This joint statement is a strong appeal to end the violence and bring about lasting peace and equality for the minority tribes in Manipur. It emphasizes the need for immediate political intervention and a reevaluation of policies that threaten to disrupt the lives and unity of these communities. The leaders’ call for Union Territory status reflects their desire for greater autonomy and protection under the law, aiming to safeguard their rights and heritage.
As the situation in Manipur remains critical, the Kuki leaders’ unified voice serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for action and support from the central government. Their upcoming mass rally is poised to be a significant demonstration of their resolve and solidarity in the face of ongoing adversity.
