Imphal: An influential tribal organisation, Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), which has been demanding imposition of President’s rule in Manipur, on Monday rejected any offer of dialogue with Chief Minister N Biren Singh or his government.
The ITLF spokesman Ginza Vualzong said that the Chief Minister’s intention of reaching out to stakeholders following a meeting with Home Minister of India Amit Shah comes too late after the loss of so many innocent lives and properties and the untold hardships faced by the Kuki-Zo tribals, there is no point in talking about peace without a political solution, IANS reported.
“We have reached a point where the Kuki-Zo community can no longer live together with the Meiteis. N Biren Singh, the perpetrator of the current ethnic violence whose hatred for the Kuki-Zo community resulted in the genocide of the Kuki-Zo community, cannot be the harbinger of peace,” Vualzong told the media.
Returning from New Delhi, where he met Shah and discussed the prevailing situation in the state, Singh on Sunday evening said that efforts to restore peace would be further intensified involving all.
The ITLF, which along with 10 tribal MLA (seven of them belonging to the ruling BJP), has been demanding a separate administration (equivalent to separate state) for the tribals, in a statement said that all tribals and a large section of his (Biren Singh) own Meitei community have lost faith in his leadership and his government.
The ITLF has held talks with various dignitaries including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where Kuki-Zo tribals have voiced their demands including their political aspiration of total separation from Manipur, the statement said.
It said: “Our political demand is in sync with the demand of our 10 MLAs and other CSO groups. The ITLF has exhausted our avenues for dialogue, and it is now crucial for the Government of India to concentrate on finding a solution to our political demand as soon as possible to bring lasting peace in Manipur.”
The ITLF also urged all CSOs and tribe leaders from the Kuki-Zo community to maintain unity and not to participate in any form of dialogue with the Chief Minister and his administration.
If anyone is known to be in contact with the state government, stringent action would be taken as necessary, the ITLF statement said.
The Manipur Chief Minister had also said that the government of India has deployed 40,000 armed forces personnel including the Army, to maintain the law and order situation.
