Manipur: Kuki-Zo leaders demand DGP to halt insurgent settlement plans in tribal areas

In a meeting held today at the Kangpokpi District Headquarters, the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) raised alarming concerns with the Director General of Police (DGP) of Manipur regarding ongoing security issues and encroachment threats in the Kuki-Zo regions. The committee, representing the Kuki-Zo community, submitted a memorandum addressing three major points that they insist require immediate intervention.

The meeting, which focused on the prevailing law and order situation in the district, came after growing tensions between the Kuki-Zo community and the state government over escalating threats to their territories. The committee expressed its appreciation for the efforts of the Manipur Police, particularly under the leadership of Manoj Prabhakar, the Superintendent of Police for Kangpokpi, who was credited for maintaining order with dedication and integrity.

However, the Kuki-Zo leaders expressed deep concerns regarding what they termed as the “17 months of wanton desecration of constitutional democracy” under the current administration, which they argue has failed to protect the minority community from rising threats.

Ng. Lun Kipgen, spokesperson for the Committee on Tribal Unity, outlined three specific demands for the DGP's immediate attention. The most pressing concern was the planned settlement of insurgent groups into Kuki-Zo-dominated areas in the Sadar Hills region, including villages like Kangchup Patjang, Saibol, and Vohkongjang, among others.

“We strongly oppose the relocation of these insurgent groups into our territories,” said Kipgen. “This is not just a security issue; it is an attack on the sovereignty and autonomy of the Kuki-Zo community.” He warned that such plans were not only illogical but a deliberate move to encroach upon Kuki-Zo lands, further destabilizing the region and increasing the risk of violence.

Kipgen described the move as a political tactic to impose majority control over the Kuki-Zo areas, which he argued would lead to an irreversible shift in the region's demographics and governance. “The settlement of insurgents in our villages would create an explosive situation, and we will not remain passive. We will defend our land and people if necessary,” he said.

In addition to halting the relocation of insurgents, the Kuki-Zo leaders also pressed for the establishment of new police stations in the Kamu-Saichang and Phailengmol areas to enhance law enforcement presence and ensure more effective supervision in the region. Kipgen emphasized that the lack of adequate security infrastructure was a significant gap in maintaining order and protecting the tribal community.

The third demand centered on the neutrality of security forces. Kipgen appealed for a politically neutral security presence, asserting that the current forces, including the Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Forces (CRPF), and CAPFs, had often shown signs of political bias, undermining trust among the Kuki-Zo people. He urged the DGP to ensure that security personnel remain impartial and free from external political influence.