A rally was mounted by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) at Churachandpur in Manipur to seek resolution of ethnic violence in the State.
Manipur-based Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) on July 13 wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, raising grave concerns over alleged high handedness exercised against Kuki-Zo village volunteers by central agencies amidst ongoing ethnic conflicts.
The letter also condemned several incidents, especially in Phaitol and Mongbung villages of Jiribam, where it has been reported that seven Kuki women were reportedly assaulted by forces from the centre and two other village youths were detained.
The arrests of three Kuki-Zo volunteers after an arson attack and allegations that residential buildings belonging to community leaders were burned have further heightened tensions within local areas.
In addition, there were claims that five Kuki ladies were physically molested leading to their hospitalization while security agents burnt down the house of the general secretary of kuki Inpi(Jiribam, Noney and tamenglong).
These allegations are coming after the operations by troops at Phaitol and L Hengjol Villages in Kangpokpi District on 8th and 9th July which led to the arrest of three militants moreover three AK series rifles with 1300 rounds ammunition were recovered.
They challenged Chief Minister Biren Singh’s claims of peace talks, asserting that tribal leaders have not been involved in any such discussions.
“The CM should stop spreading rumours to gain public support. If some people have taken part in any meeting, they are doing so in their personal capacity,” the letter said.
