A Kuki-Zo body in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), on Friday announced a seven-day suspension of the ongoing shutdown to give the state government time to address its demands over the abduction and killing of two Kuki youths. The committee, however, warned that it would resume the shutdown and intensify its agitation if the government failed to meet its demands within the deadline.
The committee issued a statement on Friday saying that the decision came amid tensions in Kangpokpi district following the alleged abduction of two Kuki youths from Taphou Kuki village on October 28 and the subsequent discovery of their mutilated bodies on November 1. The committee also decided not to accept the bodies, which are still lying at the morgue, until its charter of demands is fulfilled. The committee warned that if the government failed to fulfil its demands within the seven days, CoTU would resume the shutdown along with other intensified forms of agitation. Efforts were being made to identify the accused, while witnesses were being located and questioned. “Necessary action is also being taken up with the National Investigation Agency (NIA)…Police and all security forces are taking the matter with utmost concern.
The statement further said that sit-ins would be organised at various locations during the seven-day period. The statement further said that joint teams of the police, CoBRA, CRPF, the BSF (Border Security Force), the Assam Rifles and the Army were conducting cordon and search operations (CASOs) as well as intelligence-based operations in the affected areas to take action in accordance with the law and punish those responsible for the crimes. Security measures have been put in place, and the situation is being closely monitored,” the statement said. Officials said the post-mortems of the two deceased had been conducted at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, and that the bodies were still lying at the hospital morgue.
Manipur Police Headquarters also issued a statement on Friday, saying that the cases related to the recent incidents of arson and killings of civilians were under thorough investigation.
