Churachandpur: Days after fresh violence erupted in various parts of Manipur, Suspension of Operation interlocutor AK Mishra and officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs held a close door meeting with the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum at the Intelligence Bureau Office at Lamka in Churachandpur district on Thursday.
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Besides AK Mishra, the MHA was represented by Dr Mandeep Singh Tuli, Joint Director of the Intelligence Bureau (NE). Other officials present in the meeting are Gnanasambandan, Jt Dir IB Imphal, Lamka DC Dharun Kumar and Assistant Director IB Lamka Soiminthang Thangsing.
According to sources report, the MHA officials and the ITLF reviewed the matters and progress of the August 8 meeting between the ITLF and Union Home minister Amit Shah in Delhi. During the meeting, The ITLF had requested for the withdrawal of Manipur police commando from border town Moreh, Amit Shah said that the Center had no absolute control over a state government but assured to keep check on activities and operations of the personnel in tribal areas and that they should act in conjunction with the central forces.
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The ITLF expressed their displeasure over the recent event unfolded at Moreh which had brought to light the failure of Amit Shah based on his assurance. Dr Mandeep reassured and reaffirmed the Center’s commitment to not allow such incidents from happening in future and informed them on the government’s plan to depute a Kuki-Zo police officer at border.
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The ITLF members also discussed on the issue of burial of the deceased of Kuki-Zo people and the meeting failed to come to satisfactory conclusion as the government continue to insist to change the burial site. Thus, the matter was postponed for the next day (Friday) to be discussed, said the source.
In regards to political demand [Separate Administration], AK Mishra, the interlocutor said that the talks with the SoO groups that began in 2015 is still underway and the government has stood firm on its stand and not move away from the gist of the talk so far.
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Stressing on the need to create a conducive environment for the solution to progress, Mishra requested the tribal body to pursue their political demand through democratic means of protest and to abstain from violence.
The ITLF leaders said they want to maintain peace but when they are provoked, they have no choice but to defend themselves, it said.
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The ITLF leaders also spoke about the selective justice provided by NIA and CBI considering the recent arrests made by them. ITLF cited several cases that were not taken up by CBI which were more gruesome like the beheading of David Thieks, the burning of the 8-year-old boy and her mother inside an ambulance, the naked parade incident, the car wash incident, the attacked on MLA Vungzagin Valte and his drivers etc. Dr Mandeep said justice will come to everyone and he will take it up with CBI and NIA on this.
On the matter of release and transfer of jail inmates whose case are minor from Imphal jails, the ITLF expressed gratitude to the MHA officials and further requested the officials to expedite the process for complete transfer and release of the remaining inmates belonging to Kuki-Zo community who are still stuck in various jails in Imphal.
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