CoTU declares total shutdown from Aug 12 midnight to Aug 13 midnight

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills on Friday slammed the Meira Paibis for their declared plan to march to Kuki heartland of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur on August 13 and advised them to drop their plan as it could further escalate the situation on both sides.

CoTU’s General Secretary, Lamminlun Singsit announced a total shutdown from midnight of August 12 till midnight of August 13 in the entire Kangpokpi District. The decision was taken at the meeting held today at its office at Kangpokpi District Headquarters where CoTU and its women’s wing leaders were present.

CoTU’s General Secretary, Lamminlun Singsit said, “since the eruption of violence in Manipur on May 3, the role of the Meira Paibis have been instrumental in inciting and initiating violence, arson, and killing people of the Kuki-Zo community apart from inciting the worst form of brutality upon the Kuki-Zo women”.

He said that considering the track record of the Meira Paibis role in the past few months in the strife-torn Manipur state, there is a strong and legitimate apprehension of their motive of the so-called rally or march.

He then said that it is duly advised that any attempt by the Meitei community to breach into the tribal territory in the name of peace rally or whatsoever, will be considered an attack on life and property of the Kuki-Zo people.

He also urged the Meitei community to restrain from organizing such rally or march in the hill areas considering the prevailing situation as it could lead to another mayhem at this juncture.

CoTU’s General Secretary also appealed to other communities to maintain their neutral stand and to refrain from participating or engaging in such events.

He further said that the Central and state Government will be solely held responsible for any untoward incident and mayhem owing to the ideas of the Meira Paibi’s proposed plan of rally or march till Kanggui and Lamka on August 13.

While reiterating that it will not accept any rally or march organized by a community who is openly engaged in waging war against the Kuki-Zo community, CoTU’s General Secretary asserted that the Kuki-Zo people will defend their ancestral land “till the last drop of blood is in our veins”.

Also Read : Demand for PR gains momentum during a candlelight vigil at Kangpokpi