Zomi students federation: 20 churches burnt since Amit Shah’s visit

Manipur:  The Zomi Students Federation has alleged escalating violence in Manipur, with over 6 Zomi-Kuki tribals killed, over 10 injured, 56 villages burnt and 20 churches burnt since the Union Home Minister’s recent visit. It is reported to have been set on fire. The organization claims that despite the government’s call for peace and reconciliation, these atrocities were committed by the Manipur state forces.
The Zomi Students’ Federation has pointed the finger at Meitei radical groups, particularly Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun, as well as separatist militants who are allegedly supported by Manipur police commandos.
The ongoing military offensive against Zomi Kuki villages has led to widespread fear and displacement among the affected communities.
The eight-point resolution passed in the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) Convention held on June 7, 2023 has further aggravated the situation.
The resolution referred to the conflict as “Manipur’s national war”, raising concerns about the clash of the Manipur state as an agency advancing the interests of Meitei.
Such terms and intentions indicate a disturbing call for total armed attack against a particular ethnic group, undermining the peace efforts initiated by the Union Home Minister.
In an attempt to rationalize their actions, the Convention introduces the concept of “narco-terrorism” as a pretext for state-sponsored ethnic violence, including links between the Zomi-Kuki tribal people and the Meitei Wadi. The districts have been accused of illegal drug trade.
However, independent media reports and statements by Chief of Defense Staff Pu Anil Chauhan emphasize that the violence in Manipur has nothing to do with insurgency, and claims of “external aggression” are misleading.
The COCOMI Convention also rejected the Interior Minister’s peace initiative by deciding not to deposit the looted guns and ammunition to the government.
The decision raises questions about the possession and knowledge of such weapons within COCOMI and highlights concerns over the formation of the Special Village Force, which searches for state-issued weapons. The resolution further demanded that the pending gun licenses be approved and issued.
The ominous tone and content of the resolution indicate an imminent threat of large-scale armed aggression. In response, the Zomi Students Federation demands immediate intervention from the central government and its forces to stop the implementation of violent plans that threaten the lives and welfare of Indian citizens belonging to the Zomi-Kuki tribal groups.
The organization also calls for decisive action against COCOMI and its sister organizations in the Convention.