Imphal: Basis on the the promise made by Amit Shah during his last visit to Manipur that no state security forces would be stationed in Moreh, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), an organisation founded by the Kuki-Zo tribals of Manipur has warned the government to withdraw all Meitei security personnel from Moreh by 6 pm today. “We will be forced to start a public agitation in all tribal districts,” it said.
Must read | Education in Crisis: an aftermath of the Manipur conflict
“To maintain fairness and neutrality, we humbly request the government to withdraw all Meitei security personnel from Moreh,” it said.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum in a press release issued on Monday said it is alarmed over the Manipur government’s attempt to station state security forces in More town in Tengnoupal district, which is inhabited by Kuki-Zo tribals.
Don’t miss this | Why Kukis Cannot Claim Chandel As Part of “Kukiland”: The Lamkang Example
Further, ITLF said it “fears that cadres of the militant groups Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun are embedded with police commandos and could wreak havoc if they enter Moreh. It may be also mentioned that the majority of civil and police officers in Tengnoupal district are from the majority Meitei community, including the Addl. District Superintendent of Police, Sub-divisional police officer and officer-in-charge.”
ITLF while accusing that it is common knowledge that Meitei security forces are openly supporting the majority community in the present ethnic conflict, the Kuki-Zo organisation justified this “is why tribal women in Moreh are blocking the national highway in an effort to stop state forces from entering the border town.”
