Despite Amit Shah peace call, Kuki-Zo villages attacked by Meitei

Imphal: Despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s appeal for peace, villages belonging to the Kuki-zo tribes of Manipur are being attacked by “radical groups of the Meitei community”.

This was said by the Manipur-based Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) on Wednesday.
ITLF said in a statement, “Even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other dignitaries from the Center met tribal leaders in Lamka, these radical groups attacked more than two Kuki-zo villages (Nongdam and Maphou villages) were attacked and burning.”

The tribal body said, “This clearly shows the level of audacity shown by the dominant fundamentalist groups among the Meitei community, who are supported by the Manipur government.”
It added that these “radical Meitei groups, backed by the Manipur government” are aiming to “eliminate Kuki-Zo tribal villages in a second wave of ethnic cleansing”.

Earlier, the organization had accused the Manipur government and the armed forces of the state of “continuing ethnic cleansing against tribal people in various tribal villages since May 3, 2023 in which tribal villages were burnt to ashes. And many innocent tribesmen were killed”.
“It has come to light that underground cadres of the Valley, dressed in Manipur police uniforms, were the perpetrators leading the unending horrific crime against the tribals,” the ITLF said in the statement.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) has demanded the imposition of President’s Rule in the violence-hit northeastern state of Manipur.
Additionally, the ITLF also demanded the dismissal of the current N Biren Singh-led BJP government in the state of Manipur.

“We demand the immediate imposition of president’s rule in Manipur and the dismissal of the N Biren Singh-led government,” the ITLF said in a statement.