Ukhrul, September 25: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kuki-Zo body in Kangpokpi has urged the Manipur government to reconsider its decision on the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from valley areas, following the killing of two personnel of the 33 Assam Rifles in Bishnupur district on September 19.
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In a statement issued on Thursday, CoTU appreciated the state police and the Director General of Police for swiftly apprehending the perpetrators of the ambush at Nambol Sabal Liekai, which falls under a denotified AFSPA zone. The two jawans, Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Ranjit Kashyap, were gunned down in the attack.
The incident, CoTU said, has triggered widespread outrage among Kuki-Zo communities and renewed concerns over the activities of valley-based militant groups such as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), United National Liberation Front (UNLF), PREEPAK, MPLA, and Arambai Tenggol.
The Kuki-Zo body recalled that it had earlier announced a 72-hour economic blockade from September 22, demanding stronger security measures and accountability. However, the blockade was lifted the same day after assurances from government officials.
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While welcoming the arrest of a PLA cadre allegedly involved in the killings on September 24, CoTU maintained that “without special legal protection such as AFSPA, the efforts to deter secessionist ideals for independence from India would remain elusive and a disservice to the defence establishment.”
It reiterated its demand for AFSPA to be reimposed across all 19 police stations in the valley districts to safeguard the Indian Army and Central Security Forces.