2 Kuki-Zo men brutally killed in kangpokpi, CoTU calls for shutdown

Imphal: The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) has called for an “emergency shutdown” in Manipur’s hill district of Kangpokpi following the ‘murder’ of two Kuki-Zo villagers in the state.

In a statement, the COTU said: “The committee unanimously declares an emergency bandh in Kangpokpi district to send a message to the central government that we are no longer safe under the tyrannical (Manipur) government.”
The call for an “emergency shutdown” in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district came after a COTU meeting on Monday (November 20).

The Tribal Unity Committee strongly condemns the unprovoked attack by Meitei rebels who instigated the war in Haraothel and Kobsha villages of Kangpokpi district.
In the alleged ‘attack’, two Koki-Zo villagers – Henminlen Vaiphei of Mission eng Leimakhong and Thangminlun Hangshing of Khunkho village – were “brutally killed”.

The meeting of the COTU also called for an “early materialisation of the demand for separation from Manipur”.

“The union home ministry must take into account the continuous attacks and that political separation is the only option left now,” the COTU stated.

Earlier, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) had stated that it will establish a “separate administration” for the Kuki-Zos in Manipur within two weeks.

Speaking on the matter, ITLF general secretary Muan Tombing said that the group is ready to establish a “self-governed separate administration” in areas dominated by tribals, “whether the Centre recognises it or not”.

“It has been over six months and nothing has been done regarding our demand for a separate administration from the Manipur government,” said Tombing.

The ITLF leader further said that “if our voice is not heard within a couple of weeks, we will set up our self-government”.

“Irrespective of whether the Centre recognises it or not, we will go ahead,” ITLF general secretary Muan Tombing said while speaking to the media Churachandpur district of Manipur on Wednesday (November 15).

“As in a state or a union territory, we will set up a self-government that will look into all matters in the Kuki-Zo areas,” Tombing said.

He added: “We have to do this since our voice has not been heard.”

It may be mentioned here that the ten tribal MLAs, including those from the ruling BJP, have been demanding a “separation administration” for the Kuki-Zos in Manipur.