KANGPOKPI, June 25: Thousands of Kuki-Zo community members took to the streets of Kangpokpi district headquarters on Wednesday, demanding an end to what they describe as targeted arrests of community members by central investigating agencies.
The protest, organised by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills, saw widespread participation. A joint delegation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from Kangpokpi district, led by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), submitted a memorandum addressed to the Union Home Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of the Kangpokpi district.
The memorandum expresses concern over what the signatories term “rampant and selective arrests” of Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers by the National Investigation Agency and Central Bureau of Investigation. They call for balanced and impartial investigations that address violations committed by all parties involved in the conflict, not just one ethnic group.
The memorandum also stresses the importance of engaging leaders and communities through a neutral platform to initiate confidence-building measures. The CSOs urge the prioritization of efforts and dialogue, with full recognition of the historical, ethnic, and territorial context of the conflictand the recognition and protection of Village Volunteers who have defended their communities during the crisis.
