Ukhrul: The Kuki-Zo Council has “vehemently condemned the inhumane and brutal attacks on the innocent Kuki-Zo women in Saibol, Kangpokpi District.”
According to a press release issued by the council, “Since the 23rd and 24th December, the valley forces began to fire towards the Kuki-Zo areas. Our KZVVs responded with few rounds of shots and local made PPs with no report of casualties.”
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The statement further claimed, “Then, the Meitei UGs, ATs combined with State forces made an all-out attack on our posts/bunkers which we defended befittingly. The firing continued for 2 – 3 days. After the firing subsided, the Central forces tried to occupy our KZVV posts and attempted to evict our KZVVs from their posts, to which we strongly objected.”
The council also detailed developments following a meeting on December 29 between Central Forces (CFs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). “It was agreed that the Saibol Post No.1 (the most strategic post) be manned by CFs under Kangpokpi district police. However, contrary to the said agreement, the SFs from the valley side under Imphal-East began to storm the area in order to occupy the Saibol post, which infuriated our people.”
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The press release added, “The women folks protested and blocked the SFs from Imphal-East from entering into our village areas. Then, the security forces assaulted and fired teargas upon the defenceless women protestors at Saibol, Kangpokpi district inflicting severe injuries on 47 women protestors, of which 7 are critically injured.”
The Kuki-Zo Council accused the central forces of failing to maintain neutrality, stating, “The central forces have failed to maintain neutrality to ensure the safety and protection of the Kuki-Zo communities. This is a sinister and callous attempt to disturb the Christmas festival celebration and now the new year celebration.”
According to the Manipur Police, on December 31, 2024, a large number of womenfolk attempted to disrupt the deployment of the Army, BSF and CRPF at Uyokching, near Thamnapokpi. The joint security forces dispersed the crowd with minimum use of force and now the situation is peaceful and under control. The joint security forces are deployed at the hilltop to dominate the area and prevent any untoward incidents in the area.
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The council fully supported a call by the Committee On Tribal Unity (CoTU), stating, “The Kuki-Zo Council fully endorsed the Committee On Tribal Unity [CoTU] called for withdrawals of state forces within 24 hours otherwise an indefinite economic blockade will be imposed on National Highway (NH) – 29.”
In a sharp criticism of the Chief Minister of Manipur, the council said, “It is not surprising to hear the hypocritical apology of Biren Singh, Meitei Chief Minister of Manipur. An apology will not result in repairing the damage caused by him, as they are irreparable and Biren Singh has totally lost the confidence of the Kuki-Zo Communities.”
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The council concluded with a condition for any consideration of an apology: “The only condition for considering apologies is the resumption of political dialogue by the central government with the SoO groups and engendering political settlement to the Kuki-Zo Communities within the provisions of the Indian Constitution.”
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