Feb 28, 2025: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) termed the weapon handover by ‘Arambai Tenggol’ as “a strategic attempt to improve their public image, particularly after their meeting with the Governor of Manipur.”
In a joint press communique, they stated that the gesture is a tactical move to garner sympathy and legitimacy following their meeting with the governor and raises questions about the motivations behind this action.
The ITLF and CoTU jointly condemned the Governor of Manipur’s meeting with Arambai Tenggol, considering it a blatant disregard for the lives and safety of the Kuki-Zo people, who have suffered greatly at the hands of this militia.
They said, “The Governor’s meeting with Arambai Tenggol sends a disturbing message that the state is willing to negotiate with perpetrators of violence while ignoring the cries of their victims. This is a clear betrayal of justice and a direct insult to the survivors of ethnic violence.” The statement further added that total separation is the only viable solution, asserting that the Kuki-Zo should be allowed to govern themselves. It urged the Government of India to take immediate action and grant the Kuki-Zo a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory (UT) under Article.
Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum and the Kuki Students’ Organization, Delhi & NCR, are all set to organize a rally on March 1 for a Separate Administration in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature as per Article 239A, under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution for the Kuki-Zo community.
