Shiv Sena Manipur slams defiance of governor’s disarmament appeal by Kuki

Imphal: Shiv Sena Manipur Pradesh says the Kuki people’s defiance of the governor’s appeal to surrender arms, despite initiatives for a roadmap to restore peace, is a direct insult to both the state and sentral governments.

Shiv Sena Manipur Pradesh president M. Tombi, speaking to reporters at the state party office, here, on Saturday, criticized the firing of several rounds by suspected Kuki militants, calling it a challenge to governmental authority.

As an effort to restore peace in the strife-torn state, governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla urged individuals to surrender looted and illegally possessed weapons at the nearest police station. The 7-day deadline starting February 20, have been extended til March 6.

Tombi said honoring the governor’s initiative is a crucial step in restoring peace in Manipur. He cited the example of Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei group, which surrendered 246 weapons at the 1st Manipur Rifles headquarters in Imphal on February 27.

However, in contrast, suspected Kuki militants allegedly fired at pilgrims visiting the sacred site of Kongba Maru, Imphal East, during a ritual ceremony.

Meanwhile, Kuki village volunteers have set four non-negotiable conditions for disarmament, including a separate administration for Kuki-Zo areas, immediate withdrawal of Manipur police from Kuki areas, surrender of looted arms by Meitei militants, and legal protection for village volunteers, Tombi said.

Instead of respecting the governor’s appeal, such defiance further fuels the ongoing crisis. He accused Kuki-Zo groups advocating for separate administration of being the primary instigators.

“They demand a separate administration to form ‘Kukiland.’ what is Kukiland, where is it? Indigenous people and long-settled communities in Manipur can coexist, but some KNA-B and PDF illegal immigrants have been engaging in illegal tax collection, poppy cultivation, and other unlawful activities after infiltrating from Myanmar through the jungle. These illegal immigrants are the ones demanding a separate administration,” he said.

“How long the central government would continue protecting illegal immigrants?” Tombi asked.

Stating that Shiv Sena Manipur demands the dismantling of all illegal bunkers set up by Kuki SoO militants in peripheral areas, he urged the governor to forcibly seize all weapons from Kuki militants if they fail to surrender their weapons by the second deadline.