FIR against Kuki group ITLF for statement about forming a 'separate administration'

Reacting to the decision about legal action, ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong on Friday said, '...We've been chased out of the Imphal valley. We have been called names, we have been called illegals. The Meitei civil societies have declared war on us. We cannot trust the Biren Singh government.'

Guwahati: Manipur police on Friday lodged an FIR against a senior leader of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a Kuki organisation, charging it of an attempt to wage a war against the government by making a statement for forming a "separate administration" for the Kuki-dominated districts.

The FIR was lodged by officer-in-charge of Churachandpur police station, N Thangzamuan against ITLF General Secretary Muan Tombing, who on Wednesday announced that a "separate administration" would soon be formed comprising the Kuki-dominated districts like Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal.

The FIR was lodged a day after MLAs of ruling BJP condemned Tombing's statement and sought legal action against ITLF and the leader.

"The statement of ITLF has no legal or Constitutional basis. The irresponsible statement appears to be motivated and aimed at visiting the law and order situation in the state," said an official statement issued by Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Manipur on Thursday evening.

Tombing on Wednesday announced about forming a "separate administration" comprising the Kuki-dominated hill districts like Churachandpur, Tengnoupal and Kangpokpi as the government has failed to protect the Kukis and the "Meitei-led government" in Manipur acted against the Kukis.

He said the Kukis will announce a new CM and other ministers from among the Kuki-Zo MLAs, who are unable to visit the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley. At least 10 Kuki Zo MLAs including seven belonging to ruling BJP, also supported the demand for a "separate administration" for the Kukis in Manipur.

Reacting to the decision about legal action, ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong on Friday morning said, "So many Kuki-Zo bloods have flowed, we've been chased out of the Imphal valley. We have been called names, we have been called illegals. The Meitei civil societies have declared war on us. We cannot trust the Biren Singh government."

"Considering all these, we need to think about our welfare. We need to start our own governing body as our demand for Separate administration will take times. Our MLAs cannot work in Imphal for fear of their lives, so are our government officers. We want our 10 MLAs to start working in the hill district headquarters. Our government officers can start work in the hill districts for the welfare of the people. We cannot stand still waiting for the government to give us a solution. This is what we mean by self governance or self rule."

More than 180 people have been killed and over 60,000 others displaced due to the clashes between the majority Meiteis and Kuki tribes since May. The situation has still remained tense due to sporadic incidents of violence.