Imphal, May 24: The Working Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations (WCKCSOs)-Ukhrul has accused the Manipur government and the Centre of failing to adequately address security concerns affecting Kuki-Zo communities in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, alleging prolonged insecurity and lack of administrative response in the hill regions.
In a statement titled Directive Against Continued Failure of the Governments, the organisation claimed that repeated appeals and representations submitted by members of the Kuki-Zo community had allegedly received no response, leading to what it described as institutional neglect and administrative paralysis.
The committee alleged that authorities had failed to implement the March 19 Memorandum of Understanding, provide sufficient security arrangements for civilians or establish an alternative administrative mechanism for villages affected by unrest.
The organisation further claimed that cadres of NSCN (EF) carried out intermittent attacks on Kuki villages in Ukhrul district on May 22.
According to the statement, Mongkot Chepu village allegedly came under attack multiple times from the direction of Sikibung during different periods of the day, while Patleijang village was reportedly attacked later that night from the TM Kasom/Roudei side.
The committee stated that recurring incidents of violence and the alleged inability of authorities to prevent them had weakened public confidence.
Amid the situation, WCKCSOs-Ukhrul directed the Kuki Chiefs’ Association to begin collecting Hill House Taxes from Kuki villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts and transfer them to authorities in Kangpokpi district.
The organisation also instructed the Kuki Students’ Organisation to intensify what it described as peaceful democratic protests, including installing signboards and hoardings before June 1 identifying Kuki villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong as areas under Kangpokpi district.
The committee maintained that these directives had become necessary due to what it described as continuing governmental inaction, security failures and administrative indifference towards Kuki-Zo communities.
The statement further warned that authorities would bear responsibility for any worsening of the situation if adequate measures were not taken.
