1. Kuki-Zo tribal bodies in Tengnoupal, Manipur, approve of the recent ‘Peace Agreement’ with UNLF (Pambei).
2. Strong opposition was voiced against proposed designated camps for surrendered insurgents in Kuki-Zo tribal areas.
3. Concerns were raised about the potential threat to tribal existence and the call for maintaining clear boundaries.
Imphal, Dec 03: The Kuki-Zo tribal bodies of Manipur’s Tengnoupal district have expressed their approval of the recent ‘Peace Agreement’ between the Government of India and the Meitei militant faction, the UNLF (Pambei). However, they strongly oppose the proposed establishment of designated camps for surrendered insurgents in Kuki-Zo tribal areas.
The Joint Kuki Civil Society Organisations of Tengnoupal District, comprising Kuki Inpu Tengnoupal, Kuki Chiefs Association Tengnoupal, Kuki Students’ Organization, Tengnoupal, and the Hill Tribal Council Moreh, see the ‘Peace Agreement’ as a positive step toward integrating banned extremists into the mainstream. They believe it could contribute to a peaceful environment in the Manipur valley.
However, the Kuki bodies express concern about the aftermath of the agreement, revealing that the proposed designated camps for UNLF cadres include Kakching Khunou, Ingourok, Jiribam, Kwatha, and Moreh, with all except Kakching Khunou falling within tribal areas.
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The joint Tengnoupal CSO voices serious reservations about the establishment of designated camps for surrendered Valley-based Insurgent Groups (VBIG) in or near Kuki-Zo tribal areas. The Kuki-Zo public of Tengnoupal District welcomes the truce but vehemently rejects the inclusion of Kwatha, Moreh, Jiribam, and Ingourok as designated camps for any valley-based militants.
According to the Kuki-Zo bodies, such a move is perceived as a sinister attempt by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to threaten the existence of Kuki-Zo tribals and other tribal communities in the state. They argue that sheltering valley-based militants in tribal-dominated hill areas could bring more harm than good in the future.
While the Kuki-Zo tribals have restrained from reacting to provocations from the Biren-led Meitei government, the statement makes it clear that they will oppose any plan to set up designated camps for valley-based militants in the hill districts of Tengnoupal and Jiribam.
The joint Tengnoupal CSO emphasizes that any designated camps for Meitei extremists should be confined to the Manipur valley (Kangleipak) area. Attempts to establish such camps in the hill districts would be seen as an act of intrusion, inviting strong opposition.
Against the backdrop of the ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zo people, the Kuki bodies highlight the importance of establishing and maintaining a clear boundary, acting as a frontline/buffer zone between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo people. They strongly advise that this boundary be strictly honored and maintained while identifying designated camps for the Meitei militant faction. The Kuki-Zo tribals warn that any violation of this distinction would be met with a fitting backlash.
