The N Biren Singh-led Manipur Government has filed a
formal complaint against Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum or ITLF general
secretary Muan Tombing at the Churachandpur police station on Thursday.
The action by the Manipur Government was taken on many
counts, including sedition, against a top leader of a frontline Kuki
organization for remarks he made on “self-rule.”
Churachandpur police station officer in charge N
Thangzamuan filed the complaint under Sections 121A, 124A, 153, and 120B of the
Indian Penal Code for offences that include sedition, giving provocation with
the intention of causing a riot, and criminal conspiracy.
While attending a large-scale demonstration in
Churachandpur to demand investigations into “atrocities against Kuki-Zo tribals”
on November 16, Tombing informed reporters that the group would establish a “self-government”
in areas where the community is the majority if the Centre doesn’t respond to
its request for a separate administration within two weeks.
“It’s been already six months. But our demand, which
is separate administration from the Manipur Government hasn’t been addressed
till date. If the voice we raised in today’s rally is not heard in a couple of
weeks, then we will set up our self-government whether the Centre recognizes
(it) or not,” said ITLF general secretary Muan Tombing.
The Manipur MLAs of the BJP-led coalition in power met
in Imphal in response to the remarks, and they resolved to take “appropriate
legal action against ITLF and persons concerned” on Thursday.
Since May 3, there have been over 50,000 displaced
people and up to 178 fatalities due to ethnic clashes between the Kukis and the
Meiteis.
NE Watch Desk
