ITLF Appeals to HM Shah for Immediate Political Resolution to Manipur Conflict

Imphal, Dec 6 (NationPress) The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) has once again called upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah to provide an urgent political resolution to the ethnic turmoil in Manipur. They have also demanded a judicial investigation into the purported killings of ten Kuki-Zo-Hmar village volunteers by the central police forces.

In a memorandum directed to the Union Home Minister, the ITLF, which represents the apex body of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar community, has insisted on the establishment of a separate administration or a Union Territory for the tribal population in Manipur. They argue that true and lasting peace cannot be achieved through a militarily-enforced calm in a state that is currently fragmented by buffer zones.

The tribal body asserted, “A political solution that guarantees the physical safety and dignity of all citizens is the only viable path forward.”

They noted that the State, which is tasked with protecting its citizens and maintaining peace as part of the country’s social contract in a functioning democracy, has neglected its fundamental responsibilities for the past 19 months, compelling ordinary citizens to fend for themselves.

The ITLF highlighted that the recent surge of violence, which began with the burning of Zairawn village in Jiribam district and the tragic murder of a 31-year-old tribal woman, has led to the deaths of 13 individuals from the Kuki-Zo community.

They expressed deep concern for the minority community, noting that the ten tribal individuals were killed by the CRPF, which was expected to act as a neutral party. This was stated in a memorandum signed by ITLF Chairman Pagin Haokip and General Secretary Muan Tombing.

In their demands for a judicial inquiry into the deaths of the ten Kuki-Zo-Hmar volunteers at the hands of the CRPF, the ITLF condemned claims suggesting the deceased were militants who died while attacking the Borobekra police station and a nearby CRPF camp, calling them blatantly false.

“We have repeatedly emphasized that we would never assault central forces and have sought President’s Rule since the onset of the conflict to enable security forces to better maintain peace. It is the Meitei community that has consistently opposed President’s Rule. None of the victims were militants, as claimed by the police; one was a painter, another owned a computer store, and the others were masons who supported their communities while defending their villages,” stated the ITLF memorandum.

The last rites of 12 Kuki-Zo individuals, including ten killed in the skirmish with the CRPF in Manipur's Jiribam district on November 11, were conducted in Churachandpur on Thursday.

Thousands attended the mass burial with tearful eyes during a complete shutdown in tribal-dominated regions.

Furthermore, all tribal organizations of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar community, along with ten tribal MLAs, including seven from the BJP, have been advocating for separate administrations or a Union Territory for the tribal people in Manipur.

However, the Central and ruling BJP governments have resisted these demands.