IMPHAL, Nov 21: Ten Kuki-Zo MLAs from Manipur, including seven from the ruling BJP-led alliance, have issued a joint statement demanding the immediate extension of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) across the entire state to aid in the recovery of more than 6,000 sophisticated weapons looted by Meitei militias since May 2023.

In a statement, the 10 Kuki MLAs, criticizes recent resolutions passed by the Manipur State Assembly, calls for a broader and impartial application of AFSPA to address the ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

The statement comes in response to the reimposition of AFSPA on November 14, which initially applied to only six police station areas, including the violence-affected Jiribam. The Kuki MLAs argue that AFSPA should be extended to the remaining 13 police jurisdictions to help recover the weapons that have fueled the conflict. They assert that the current situation, marked by over 220 deaths since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, calls for a comprehensive strategy to curb further violence.

The Kuki legislators condemned the resolution passed by the ruling BJP-led NDA in the Manipur Assembly calling for a “mass operation” against Kuki militants allegedly responsible for killing six civilians, including three women and three children, in Jiribam district. The Kuki MLAs argue that such a resolution is “divisive, one-sided, and communal,” and that similar operations should be carried out statewide to address all militia groups involved in the violence, not just target one community.

The MLAs also criticized the call for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the killings, suggesting that it reflects a “communalized state.” They have urged that all civilian killings from both the valley and hills be handed over to the NIA to ensure a fair and impartial inquiry. Additionally, they demanded that the Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun groups, accused of supporting violent acts against Kuki communities, be declared unlawful organizations before any further action is taken against Kuki militants.

In their statement, the Kuki MLAs expressed concerns over the government’s bias in handling the Jiribam incident, accusing the state of using it as a pretext to suppress tribal rights. They also warned that these actions were politically motivated, aimed at undermining the Kuki community’s position and deepening ethnic divisions. The MLAs called on the central and state governments to initiate a political dialogue for lasting peace in the state.

Furthermore, the Kuki legislators condemned the attack, looting, and burning of properties belonging to Meitei MLAs and ministers by Meitei mobs. They called for a high-powered committee to investigate the role of vested political interests and organizations with secessionist agendas, accusing them of exacerbating the violence to further their own political goals.

The Kuki MLAs concluded by reiterating the need for comprehensive political dialogue to restore peace and normalcy, stressing that the conflict has created a volatile environment that requires urgent and balanced intervention from both the central and state governments.