Kuki-Zo Tribal Group Appeals to Centre Over Transfer of Police Personnel
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 24th Feb. A Kuki-Zo tribal group has voiced its opposition to the relocation of 100 Kuki-Zo police officers to Meitei-majority regions within the state of Manipur. In a letter addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), representing the apex body of tribals in Manipur, expressed deep concerns over the transfers and called for immediate intervention from the central government.
Senior leader and spokesperson of ITLF, Ginza Vualzong, emphasized the precariousness of the situation, deeming such transfers as unacceptable. “It requires them (Kuki-Zo cops) to travel to Meitei-inhabited districts, and if they survive the journey, they will be stationed with mostly Meitei police personnel. In other words, this is a death sentence for these policemen as the government cannot guarantee their safety,” stated Vualzong.
The ITLF’s letter to Amit Shah highlighted the necessity for the minister’s intervention to halt the implementation of what they deemed a “discriminatory order” issued by the Manipur Director General of Police.
The forum underscored the escalation of violence in Manipur, resulting in a significant demographic shift along ethnic lines and leading to the physical segregation of communities. Furthermore, it raised concerns about the safety of Central and state security forces personnel belonging to the Kuki-Zo community.
In response, the Manipur Police clarified their stance, stating, “Reference to the Manipur Police Headquarters order dated 14.02.2024 regarding transfer and posting of 177 personnel of all communities of MR/IR units to various units, it is informed that the transfer and posting has been done to streamline the excess manpower against the sanctioned post available in all MR/IR units and to facilitate the process for preparation of their salaries. However, given the present crisis, there is no immediate movement of the personnel required at this stage.”
