KZC opposes replacing central forces with state forces in hills

Lamka: The Kuki-Zo Council on Wednesday expressed concern over the recent statement by Manipur home minister Govindas Konthoujam regarding the proposed replacement of central security forces with state forces in hill areas.In a press release issued on Thursday, the council said since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, there have been numerous instances where state forces were either complicit in attacks against the Kuki-Zo community or failed to prevent violence.The council also pointed to the inability of state forces to stop large-scale looting of arms, which were later used against Kuki-Zos, as a key factor that has ‘further eroded trust and confidence’.

In contrast, KZC said central security forces have played a ‘crucial and stabilising role’ in Manipur, noting that their presence in buffer zones between Kuki-Zo and Meitei areas has prevented escalations.“Any move to withdraw or replace central forces from the hills or buffer zones risks undoing the hard-earned stability and may lead to renewed violence,” the release stated. The KZC urged state authorities to refrain from making any changes to the current security arrangements, stressing that maintaining central forces is essential for ensuring neutrality, restoring confidence, and safeguarding peace for all.