The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and the Committee on Tribals Unity (COTU) Sadar Hills have rejected the Peace Committee headed by Governor Anusuiya Uikey that also includes CM Biren Singh.
A public meeting was convened on Monday at Kangpokpi District Headquarters under the aegis of COTU, Sadar Hills in the wake of the Meitei Leepun chief and COCOMI's alleged ‘unlawful statement’ in declaring "war against the Kukis".
Rev K Sitlhou, spokesperson of COTU, Sadar Hills said that three important resolutions were unanimously adopted during the meeting.
Firstly, the people of Kangpokpi condemned the ‘unlawful statement’ of Pramot Singh, chief of the Meitei Leepun, and COCOMI for declaring "war" against the Kuki community in Manipur.
The meeting also branded Meitei Leepun and COCOMI as an ‘outlaw organization’ while terming Meitei Leepun chief Pramod Singh and COCOMI leaders as "terrorists" and demanding legal action against them.
Secondly, the meeting also unanimously opposed and rejected the Peace Committee stating that it is difficult to digest the formation of a peace committee at this juncture when constant violence and attack have been committed against them.
The meeting emphasized that every kind of violence, attack, killing and torching of Kuki villages be stopped first and then peace will automatically prevail as the Kukis are peace-loving communities.
He then said that the public meeting also unanimously reaffirmed the demand for a separate administration. He added that the demand for separate administration shall be our constant goal until achieved.
Meanwhile, in a press statement, the Kuki Inpi Manipur stated that they are compelled to object to the inclusion of its president as a member of the Peace Committee without prior and proper consultation and information.
KIM never objected to any peace effort envisaged with an intent of justice. However, the recent order made by the Ministry of Home Affairs North East Division concerning the selection of peace committee members is an exception as the Kuki Inpi Manipur senses no rationale to pursue peace solely with individuals who have engineered the ethnic cleansing against our people, it stated.
It must be put on record that the Manipur Government led by CM Biren has lost all credibility by orchestrating communal attacks and sponsoring radical and extremist groups against the Kukis.
KIM has reiterated time and again that it has always treasured the idea of Peace and is always open to welcoming the same. However, any call for peace or therefore any effort to ensure "lasting peace" needs to be focused on the right approach with the proactive involvement of all stakeholders on a proper table, it added.
Similarly, any blatant bull-dozing and authoritative and arbitrary direction such as this one can only hamper the peace process, it stated.
The Kukis want peace that must entail the essence of justice which can only be realized with the immediate cessation of all state-sponsored violence and attacks on the Kuki people and their habitations, KIM stated.
