Newmai News Network
Ukhrul, Jan 7: The issue arising out of Uyokching Hill in Imphal East district and Saibol Hill in Kangpokpi district of Manipur is complicated now, with the surrounding Meitei residents remaining adamant that the security personnel being deployed in the area must stay there.
Residents of Yaingangpokpi, Sanasabi, Santi Khongbal, and Thamnapokpi have been protesting against the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU)’s call for the withdrawal of security forces. On Monday, the Meitei residents stayed the night at Uyokching and staged a sit-in at the Uyokching foothills, demanding that the central forces not leave Uyokching.
Must read | Manipur Governor Visits Relief Camps, Inaugurates IT Centre in Churachandpur
Earlier, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) had given a 48-hour deadline to the authorities to completely withdraw Central Armed Force (CAPF) personnel deployed in Saibol Hill. The CoTU and other Kuki-Zo groups have been strongly protesting against the “crossing of the buffer zone” by central security forces in the area.
The decision to position CAPF, especially the BSF and CRPF, by the authorities came in the wake of heavy firing from Uyokching Hill in December 2024. A few days later, a combined team of Army, BSF, and CRPF occupied the areas in Uyokching where they also destroyed some illegal bunkers, which angered the Kuki-Zo people. Uyokching falls under the Yaingangpokpi police station.
A Manipur Police statement had said that a large number of womenfolk attempted to disrupt the deployment of the Army, BSF, and CRPF at Uyokching, near Thamnapokpi.
Also read | Kuki-Zo Council Meets Manipur Governor, Submits Demands for Resolution
Kuki-Zo organizations, including the Women Wing of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), Kuki Inpi Manipur, Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum had said that more than 30 women were injured in the clash with the security forces.
The CoTU had on January 6, after temporarily lifting the total shutdown and the blockade, warned of a stringent agitation in case the remaining CAPF deployed in the region are not withdrawn within 48 hours.
Also read | Meghalaya Govt Open to Resuming Talks with HNLC