Manipur: ITLF rubbishes CM N Biren Singh’s claim of involvement of militant faction to create stir in hills district

CM N Biren Singh on Friday had said that some militant factions are provoking a section of people to create a law and order situation and indulge in violence

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) has rubbished CM N Biren Singh’s statement that militant factions were involved to create a law and order situation with regards to the protests witnessed in the hill districts on Friday.

“The rally was organized by ITLF, which is an organization setup by all tribal organizations in Churachandpur. It does not involve any armed organizations as falsely stated by the uninformed CM,” Muan Tombing, secretary of ITLF said.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday said that some militant factions are provoking a section of people to create a law and order situation and indulge in violence.

The Chief Minister further stated that many people who carried out violence on Friday were Myanmarese nationals, some of whom have been given shelter inside Manipur on humanitarian grounds.

The ITLF also reiterated that the Chief Minister is ignoring the voice of the hills people when he said that nothing has happened in the hill districts but only in the 2 districts where the Chin-Kuki Brothers are inhabiting.

“The Chief Minister’s claim about nothing happened in the hills yesterday shows his apathy towards the hill people. Where there are 40,000-50,000 gathering against the infringement that we had faced, thus shows that he is neglecting his subjects who are in the hills. And again he is ignoring the voice of the hill people whereby misinforming the central government, that’s the reason why the hill is not getting development above the claim the he had made” the ITLF secretary said.

The ITLF secretary also called out Chief Minister N Biren Singh for his communal approach to politics and his intent to divide and rule.

Meanwhile, the ITLF secretary affirmed that the ITLF will always stand for their land and their people, adding that they are ready to go ahead legally or to any extent, even to sacrifice whatever they have, even their lives, to protect their land.

He also said that they are ready to have a discussion with the government.

Earlier on Friday, speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, Chief Minister N Biren Singh had said that the government has decided to adopt a zero-tolerance policy and evict all encroachers from forest land.

Meanwhile., the Manipur Cabinet has withdrawn the tripartite talks or the Suspension of Operations with two hill based insurgent groups, the Kuki National Army or the KNA and the Zomi Revolutionary Army or the ZRA.

The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting to review the law and order scenario in the state in view of the rallies held in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts.

The cabinet noted that the rallies were organized for a cause which is unconstitutional and the rallies therefore were illegal. The withdrawal of the Suspension of Operations with the KNA and the ZRA comes in as the leaders of both the militant groups are from outside the state.

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