Churachandpur: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) has said Meiteis will not be allowed into Kuki-Zo-inhabited areas, even after the formation of a popular govt in Manipur, unless the core demands of the Kuki-Zo community are met.ITLF secretary Thangsuolien said on Sunday, “To ensure that no precious lives — whether Kuki/Zomi or Meitei — are lost, combatant communities must not cross buffer zones created by the Centre until a political solution is reached.” He cautioned, “The formation of a popular govt in Manipur should not be seen as a licence to enter Kuki-Zomi–dominated tribal areas.”
Thangsuolien stressed that fulfilling the political demands of the Kuki-Zo community remains the top priority. Warning both sides, he said, “Anyone from either community who dares to transgress buffer zones will do so at their own risk. This measure is meant to safeguard lives.”According to him, this is for the safety of the two communities at this time of crisis, while stressing they deserved a separate set of administration for the sake of development on a par with others, at a time of a global village due to the development of information technology.He said properties of the conflicting communities, worth billions of rupees, were reduced to ash due to the conflicts, and he called on the govt to grant a separate administration for them, as they paid the price for it. “It is a case in point that the 2 communities could not coexist under similar sets of administration,” he reiterated.He said there was tremendous loss in terms of lives and property, making reconciliation a far-fetched approach, while calling on the govt to find a pragmatic solution that will be acceptable to the communities.
