Kuki Militants Attack CRPF Camp In Kangpokpi Hill Areas As Tension Continues In Manipur

Imphal: Kuki militants on Sunday targeted Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in the hilly areas of Manipur 's Kangpokpi, as tension continues to grip the state. According to reports, the attack took place when the central forces were setting up their camps.

Manipur CM meets Governor over security situation 

Amid a fresh bout of violence in Manipur , Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday appealed to the Centre to take steps to protect territorial integrity of the state, according to an official.

Singh also urged the central government not to give in to the demand for a separate administration raised by Kuki Zo groups, said the official on condition of anonymity.

The chief minister made these appeals in a memorandum submitted to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya when he, along with a number of MLAs and the assembly Speaker, called on him at Raj Bhavan and held a meeting.

In the memorandum to Acharya, Singh said the Centre should ensure peace in Manipur and give adequate power to the elected state government, according to the official.

Singh also called for revoking the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.

The SoO pact was signed by the Centre, the Manipur government and two conglomerates of Kuki militant outfits – Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF). The pact was signed in 2008 and extended periodically thereafter.

The Raj Bhavan said in a statement that Singh met the governor along with his cabinet colleagues and submitted a memorandum.

Kuki wants talks with Centre but have conditions

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, an umbrella organisation of Kuki bodies a few days ago said that talks, if any, will only be held on their terms and only with the Centre, virtually closing the door to negotiations with an emissary appointed by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Manipur CM N Biren Singh revealed that he has appointed Dinganglung Gangmei, a Naga MLA and chairperson of the Hill Area Committee, as an emissary to hold talks with Kuki-zo and Meitei leaders. "Dialogue is the only way,” Singh said.

“We can meet. But this talking will be on our terms,” ITLF spokesperson Ginza Vualzong said, adding that the Kuki-zo community will only hold talks with the Central government.

“Separation from the Meitei ( Manipur ) government is the only solution for us. We can no longer be under the same government that killed us, that drove us away and burnt our properties and places of worship,” Vualzong told PTI.

The ITLF view underscores the deepening divisions between the Kuki-zo community and the Manipur state government and majority Meitei community. The ethnic clashes that started last May and cleaved the state along community lines have claimed more than 200 lives and displaced thousands of families.

With inputs from PTI

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