1. Protests erupted in Motbung Model Village, Kangpokpi, led by the Kuki-Zo community.
2. The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) opposes the removal of the 9th and 22nd Assam Rifles.
3. They argue the removal was arbitrary, aimed at appeasing the Meitei community.
Imphal, Sep 08: Protests erupted in Motbung Model Village, Kangpokpi, as the Kuki-Zo community, led by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills, began agitating against the removal of the 9th and 22nd Assam Rifles from their areas.
The Committee argues that these battalions, which have been vital in safeguarding the Kuki-Zo community, were removed arbitrarily to appease the demands of the Meitei community.
The protest, conducted as a peaceful sit-in, attracted hundreds of Kuki-Zo demonstrators, primarily women, who voiced their strong opposition to the government’s decision.
Protesters chanted slogans such as “Don’t Remove Assam Rifles,” “Removing Assam Rifles is Removing Peace,” “Audio Leak Should be Investigated,” “Birenji… Bomb Marta Hai Kya?,” and “We Demand Union Territory.”
These slogans reflect the deep concern within the community, who believe that the safety and peace of their region are closely tied to the presence of the Assam Rifles.
Ng. Lun Kipgen, the spokesperson for CoTU, emphasized that the recent violence in areas like Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi, and Imphal West is directly linked to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to remove the Assam Rifles from conflict zones—a move seen as appeasing Meitei groups.
He pointed out that this decision coincided with the release of an audio recording allegedly featuring Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh admitting to violence against the Kuki-Zo community.
The Committee also criticized the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), which they claim played a key role in the battalions’ removal by alleging partiality towards the Kuki-Zo.
The Kuki-Zo leadership stressed that the Assam Rifles have been instrumental in neutralizing violent separatist groups and militias targeting Kuki-Zo volunteers defending their hill regions.
In response, the Kuki-Zo community has called for mass fasting prayers on Sunday in their respective churches across Sadar Hills, followed by a large rally on Monday. The rally aims to intensify the agitation if the central government does not reverse the order to remove the Assam Rifles.
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A Kuki-Zo women’s leader, speaking at the protest, appealed to the Union Home Minister to reconsider the decision, highlighting that the lives and safety of the Kuki-Zo people are in the hands of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Committee urged the Government of India to recognize the complex governance dynamics in Manipur, which include the state government, armed groups like Arambai Tenggol, and COCOMI, all of which wield significant influence and have created a parallel system of governance.
The Kuki-Zo community argues that Union Territory status under Article 239A is the only path to lasting peace and stability.
The Committee also demanded the immediate reinstatement of the 9th and 22nd Assam Rifles in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi and called for establishing buffer zones between Kuki-Zo and Meitei areas.
They stressed the need for swift negotiations between the Government of India and Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups to restore peace.
The Committee warned that if their demands are not addressed, including an investigation into the leaked audio involving N. Biren Singh, they will be forced to escalate their protests.
They hold the Ministry of Home Affairs accountable for any further unrest resulting from the current situation.
