Churachandpur: Tensions surfaced ahead of a proposed visit by cyclist Malem Thongam, who belongs to the Meitei community, to Churachandpur on Tuesday, as the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) issued a warning against crossing into Kuki-Zo areas.In a media release, the ITLF said any such attempt would amount to a “direct breach of the buffer zone presently in place between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei areas”. “While he is free to pursue his cycling activities within the 650 square miles of Meitei-inhabited areas, he must not attempt to enter Kuki-Zo land. Should he choose to ignore this advice and proceed towards Churachandpur, any untoward incident that may occur will be entirely the consequence of his own actions,” the ITLF stated.The forum stressed that in the absence of any agreement or settlement between the two communities, Meiteis must respect the buffer zone and refrain from entering the Kuki-Zo territory. The ITLF also urged its women wing and volunteers to remain on high alert.
