UKHRUL: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, a Kuki civil body, has issued a “final warning” to the Manipur Government over what it described as an “inhumane and selective blockade” targeting the “Kuki-Zo community”.
CoTU on Tuesday alleged that groups from the Liangmai and Tangkhul communities were imposing a targeted blockade against the “Kuki-Zo community”, despite the latter not imposing any blockade during the conflict.
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It alleged that “Kuki-Zo people”, vehicles carrying essential supplies and medical emergencies were being stopped and harassed despite National Highways being open for movement.
CoTU cited a state government order dated August 28 prohibiting road blockades and warning of prosecution, and urged the government to implement the order “immediately and without bias”.
The Kuki body in Kangpokpi warned that if no “concrete and immediate action” was taken to remove what it called the illegal blockade, the Kuki-Zo community would have “no option” but to restrict the movement of Tangkhul and Liangmai people in “Kuki-Zo-dominated areas”.
CoTU also demanded justice for victims of the conflict, alleging that civilians, including pastors, women and a newborn baby, had been killed by groups it identified as Tangkhul-led NSCN and ZUF-K.
“Responsibility for any escalation and its consequences resulting from the Government’s inaction will lie entirely with the Government of Manipur and those groups that continue the communal blockade,” CoTU said.
