Churachandpur: The Indigenous Tribal Leader Forum (ITLF) expressed its apology on Wednesday to the Kuki Zo people for the “misguidance and conflict with the Meitei people” in Manipur.
In an official statement, ITLF stated, “The Indigenous Tribal Leader Forum, a leading organisation committed to the welfare and unity of indigenous communities, acknowledges and deeply regrets the misguided actions that resulted in the brainwashing and involvement of innocent Kuki Zo people in the unfortunate conflict with the Meitei people in Manipur.”
As a prominent organisation dedicated to the welfare and unity of indigenous communities, the ITLF affirmed its commitment to fostering harmony and mutual respect among diverse indigenous groups while promoting peace and coexistence. The statement acknowledged with a heavy heart that the organisation had failed to uphold these core principles, resulting in unintended consequences that have impacted both the Kuki Zo and Meitei communities.
Offering their sincerest apologies, the ITLF extended its regrets to the innocent Kuki Zo people, acknowledging the misplaced trust and inadvertent entanglement they experienced during the conflict. The organisation pledged to rectify the situation by facilitating an open dialogue between the two communities, implementing restorative measures, and conducting a transparent review of its organisational processes and decision-making structures.
The violence in Manipur, which has persisted for over a month, originated from tensions between the Hindu Meiteis and the Christian tribal Kuki community following a rally organized by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3. In response to the escalating situation, the Central government deployed paramilitary forces to restore order.
The unrest in Manipur emerged due to the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. The Meiteis, as the majority community residing in the Imphal Valley and surrounding areas, sought ST status to gain access to land in hilly areas. Only STs are allowed to purchase land in these regions, and the increasing population of the Meitei community prompted their request for this status.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declined a plea from the Manipur Tribal Forum seeking protection from the Indian Army for the Kuki tribe in the state.
Comments