Shiv Sena Manipur demands stringent action against Kuki bodies defying Shah’s directive

Imphal: The central government must take stringent action against the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), and other Kuki bodies that are defying Union Home minister Amit Shah’s directive to ensure free movement on all roads in Manipur.

Shiv Sena Manipur Pradesh president M Tombi said this during a press conference held at the state party headquarters, here on Tuesday.

Tombi said during a high-level security and law-and-order review meeting on March 1, Amit Shah directed security forces to ensure free movement on all roads in Manipur, including national highways such as Dimapur-Imphal-Moreh and Imphal-Silchar via Jiribam from March 8. However, he noted that Kuki bodies have openly challenged this directive, stating they will not comply until their demands are met.

Tombi said, “The Kuki bodies also declared that no free movement shall be permitted in Kuki-Zo areas until a solution, particularly separate administration, is achieved.”

“Stringent action should be taken against those who defy government directives.”

Tombi highlighted the ongoing initiative led by governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to recover looted arms as part of the government’s roadmap to restore peace. He said thousands of weapons have been surrendered in the valley areas.

He expressed concern over viral social media videos showing ‘Kuki narco-terrorists’ in possession of sophisticated weapons.

He said Kuki must surrender their weapons to the government and called for a proper verification of Kuki underground groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.

Tombi appealed to the government to implement the NRC immediately to identify illegal immigrants who, he claimed, are instigating and prolonging the ongoing crisis by defying peace initiatives.

With Kuki bodies refusing to comply with the free movement directive and concerns over armed militants, the situation in Manipur remains tense. The state awaits further government action to address the unfolding crisis, he added.