Manipur violence: Need PM Modi for five minutes to set the system right, says CoTU

Protests erupted in Kangpokpi, Manipur, as hundreds of people gathered along National Highway-2 to denounce the recent attack at New Keithelmanbi and the alleged torching of houses by armed Meitei militants. The protest, organized by the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District (CoTU), took place at Bongmol village, and the participants made an impassioned appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the region for just five minutes, purely on humanitarian grounds, setting aside political considerations.

The CoTU's General Secretary, Lamminlun Singsit, revealed that the Meitei armed groups orchestrated the attack to create a false narrative. He stated that on the evening of October 4, around 10:30 p.m., armed Meitei groups, disguised in security uniforms, set fire to their own Meitei farmhouses at Moidangpok. This was done to make it appear as though the attack was carried out by the Kukis. Later, they indiscriminately attacked New Keithelmanbi areas in the buffer zone, but the central forces resisted their advances.

Singsit clarified that the conflict that followed was between the Meitei armed groups and the central security forces, not between the Kuki Village Volunteers and the Meitei armed groups as claimed by the Meitei community.

Additionally, CoTU Women Wing's Convenor, Neinu, expressed her dismay at the continuous terror perpetrated by Meitei terrorists against the Kuki-Zo community. She stated that such acts, including the recent attacks on houses at New Keithelmanbi and L. Jangnomphai village, were unacceptable and reflected the superiority complex of the majority Meitei community.

CoTU's Media Cell Coordinator, Ng. Lun Kipgen, condemned the false narrative presented by the Meitei community. He emphasized that the Kuki-Zo community had remained law-abiding citizens and trusted in the legal system, even in the face of severe provocations.

The protesters demanded justice, a separate administration, an end to false allegations and narratives, and swift action by the central government to restore peace in Manipur.

They chanted slogans such as "We want Justice," "We want Separate Administration," "Stop false allegations," and "Stop false narratives."

The protesters stated the urgent need for the Prime Minister to visit Manipur and address the escalating tensions and violence in the state.