Imphal: The Kuki Inpi Manipur(KIM) declared “total separation of the Kukis and the Meiteis” after the last 24 Kuki volunteers at New Lambulane in Imphal were evacuated safely on September 1 evening.
KIM, the apex body of the Kuki tribes demanding separate administration of Kukis from Manipur.
The ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis since May 3, 2023 has distance the Kuki communities from the majority Meiteis.
KIM then supplicated the Government of India to expedite “meaningful and honorable” political dialogue with the UPF and KNO under Suspension of Operations for justice, peace, and lasting solutions as it strongly reiterated its demand for a separate administration.
“Kuki Inpi Manipur is aghast at the dastardly attack against the last of the Kuki volunteers, numbering 24 men, who have been guarding the houses and properties of the Kukis at New Lambulane, Imphal from the intermittent arson and looting of the boorish, bloodthirsty Meiteis,” stated KIM press release.
It further said the volunteers were later escorted by security personnel and safely reached our land despite the dread of the barbaric Meitei attack.
“Hence, the Kuki Inpi Manipur declared that there is now a “total separation of the Kukis and the Meiteis. It is imperative that the central government must “Constitutionally recognize” this separation at the earliest without further delay,” it stated.
KIM Information and Publicity Secretary, Janghaolun Haokip said that besides the compelling evacuation of the people, all the Kuki settlements had been looted, vandalized, and torched by the Meitei.
“The only viable solution to the ongoing state-sponsored ethnic cleansing against the Kuki people lies in the total separation of the two communities, the process of which has been completed in the aftermath of the evacuation of the remaining Kuki volunteers in Imphal last night,” Haikip said.
At least 150 people have been killed and over 400 people were wounded in the violence that began in May.
More than 60,000 have been forced from their homes as the army, parliamentary forces and police struggle to quell violence.
Police armouries have been looted, hundreds of churches and more than a dozen temples ruined, and villages destroyed.