COTU mourned slain Assam Rifles jawans, calling them heroes, and demanded AFSPA’s return across valley districts to check secessionist militants.
BY PC Bureau
September 21: The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), Kangpokpi, has announced an economic blockade across Manipur from midnight of September 22 to midnight of September 25 in protest against the September 19 ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy at Nambol Sabal Leikai in Bishnupur district. The deadly attack left to Assam Rifles jawans dead and five critically injured, prompting the tribal body to demand stronger measures to secure the region.
In its strongly worded statement, COTU expressed grief and solidarity with the families of the slain soldiers, saying:
“While paying our highest homage to our brave jawans in uniform, who sacrifice their lives in line duty for safety and security to the citizens from such secessionist terrorists, the Committee on Tribal Unity would remind the Government to immediately impose AFSPA in the whole of 19 valley districts and rescind the peace initiatives of the ‘Free Movement’ agreement.”
COTU described the ambush as an act of “cowardice” by valley-based insurgent groups and argued that the attack exposed the “anti-national and secessionist character” of the majoritarian Meitei community.
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The body further alleged that successive governments have turned a blind eye to the “unabated terror unleashed” by groups like Arambai Tenggol and other valley-based insurgent outfits.
“The Committee on Tribal Unity is aghast how these secessionist Meiteis militants could roam freely to unleash such cowardice action time and time again while the concerned authorities remain tight-lipped despite the state under President’s Rule,” the statement read.
Demand for AFSPA and Protection of Minorities
Pointing to what it sees as a worsening law-and-order crisis, COTU said the incident should be “reason enough for the minority Kuki-Zo community to feel insecure and yearn for constitutional protection against the radicalized majoritarian community.”
It warned that if the Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) themselves were not spared, then “what guarantee is there for the Kuki-Zo safety within their domain?”
COTU demanded:
Reimposition of AFSPA in all 19 valley districts.
Rescinding of the ‘Free Movement Regime’ along the Indo-Myanmar border.
Union Territory status with legislature for the Kuki-Zo areas to ensure “fair and balanced political discourse” and long-term stability.
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Economic Blockade as Protest
As a mark of protest, COTU said it was compelled to enforce an economic blockade.
“Therefore, the Committee on Tribal Unity is compelled to impose an Economic Blockade from 22nd midnight till the midnight of 25th September to show our displeasure over the delayed action over the brutal murder of two jawans of 33 Assam Rifles and inability of the Governor to discharge his constitutional power even during President’s Rule.”
The blockade will affect NH-2 and other highways, choking supply lines of fuel, medicines, and essential goods into the state. While clarifying that the move is not targeted against civilians, the tribal body said it had no other option to register its protest against “secessionist terror and the government’s indifference.”
