Imphal: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) blamed the Manipur government for the violent flare-up at Leimakhong on Saturday. Local residents tore down a blockade checkpoint at 2:30 pm after authorities failed to stop the restriction of essential supplies to Kuki-Zo areas. This move triggered physical fights and injuries between tribal groups.
CoTU slammed the United Naga Council (UNC) for its recent demands. The council wants the government to scrap the Suspension of Operations agreement, fire the Kuki Deputy Chief Minister, and arrest the Chief of Leilon Vaiphei. CoTU rejected these conditions as an "ethnocentric" campaign meant to target the Kuki-Zo community. It claimed these demands ignore the real need for impartial justice for all victims of the ongoing violence.
The committee pointed to the deaths of three Kuki pastors and 14 civilians, accusing cadres of the NSCN-IM and Zeliangrong United Front of those killings. It called for the same speed in investigations that authorities showed when arresting suspects in the killing of six Nagas. CoTU warned that government inaction and the current policy of appeasement fuel the fires of conflict. The committee demanded the immediate arrest of those manning the blockades to allow supplies to move again.
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