Security Forces Demolish Illegal Structures in Kangpokpi; CoTU Condemns Action

Kangpokpi, Feb 27: A tense situation prevailed in Kangpokpi district after security forces and police allegedly demolished several structures at Gamgiphai around 3 AM on Tuesday, citing road expansion along National Highway 2 (NH-2). The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) strongly condemned the move, calling it an act of aggression that created panic among the local population, particularly women who have been stationed in the area since the conflict began.

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In a press communique, COTU expressed concerns over the security measures enforced under the President’s Rule, stating that such actions amounted to forced normalization, which was both unrealistic and dangerous for regional peace. The committee also accused the majority Meitei community of carrying out a mass genocide campaign over the past two years while alleging that insurgent groups and radical Meitei militias continued to provoke unrest in buffer zones near valley districts.

COTU emphasized that the Kuki-Zo community has always adhered to democratic means of protest against what it described as biased governance over the past two years. The committee dismissed any claims suggesting that their protests were aimed at disrupting law and order, asserting that such narratives were attempts to misrepresent their movement.

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The press communique also warned against a repeat of the Jiribam incident, where the deployment of valley-based security forces allegedly disrupted peace and led to violence, including the killing of Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers and the burning of civilian homes. COTU termed such actions a gross violation of human rights and vowed to resist any similar attempts in Kangpokpi.

The organization urged the Governor to avoid taking security measures based on an “ethno-centric narrative” that portrays the Kuki-Zo community in a negative light. It specifically refuted allegations that the Kuki-Zo people were blocking NH-2 and NH-37, stating that the highways remained open and functional. COTU cautioned against any orders that could lead to further misrepresentation of their community.

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Meanwhile, amid the growing tension, the Superintendent of Police, Kangpokpi, issued an official order on Tuesday, instructing police personnel to resist any extortion demands from illegal organizations. The directive, signed by SP Manoj Prabhakar, IPS, warned officers against yielding to such demands and advised them to report any incidents to the SP’s office immediately.