The Committee on Tribal Unity, also known as CoTU, from Sadar Hills in Kangpokpi District, strongly spoke out against a recent decision in the Manipur legislative assembly. They didn’t like that the assembly wanted to cancel the Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the hill based groups.
CoTU called the assembly decision “unfair and against peace.” In response, they’re making Sadar Hills in Kangpokpi district completely shut down for 24 hours. The shutdown will start at 10:00 a.m. on March 4 and end at 10:00 a.m. on March 5.
On March 4, the committee will also have a public rally to show they’re upset about the assembly’s decision, which they see as “unfair and disrespectful.”
Strongly disagreeing with the decision made on February 29 by the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, CoTU’s Information Secretary, Thangtinlen Haokip, said they’re surprised by Chief Minister N Biren Singh and others trying to distract people from issues in Imphal. They’re particularly upset about the decision to cancel SoO with the UPF and KNO outfits.
He also mentioned that the assembly’s decision, focused on one community, makes the Government seem like it doesn’t care about the Kuki-Zo people. Haokip thinks the government is agreeing with some small groups, which is not good.
“The bad situation in the assembly showed how important it is for the Government of India to address Kuki-Zo’s request for protection in the Constitution. This should happen soon for communal harmony and peace,” he said.
Haokip also said Chief Minister N Biren Singh failed to control small groups and armed militias from breaking the law. They even took weapons from the state police, and Singh didn’t stop them.
In this situation, Haokip thinks all valley districts should be called “Disturbed Areas” right away. Also, the Armed Forces Special Power Act, or the AFSPA, should be put into action in all 19 Police Stations in the valley districts. This would help stop acts of violence supported by the government, he added.
