In push and pull game CoTU pushes aside KZC Lifts, reimposes : Shutdown farce continues

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 10 : Merely minutes after issuing a statement announcing that the indefinite shutdown imposed in all Kuki-Zo inhabited areas has been lifted, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has rescinded its decision.
In a lightning fast clarification that followed the previous statement, the KZC said the decision lifting the indefinite shutdown is "NULL AND VOID".
This clarification of the "apex body" of the Kuki-Zo community came after facing opposition from the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU).
"Regrettably, we must inform the public that the said notice is hereby declared NULL AND VOID. This decision has been necessitated by the fact that the Coordination Committee on Tribe Unity (CoTU) and Government officials were unable to reach a mutually acceptable understanding," it said.
In light of this development, the status quo ante prevails, and the indefinite shutdown remains in force until further notice, it said.
Notably, sometime earlier, the KZC had issued a statement in which it said the indefinite shutdown had been lifted with "immediate effect".
While the shutdown has been lifted "with immediate effect", KZC had, however, stated that all district borders will continue to be sealed to prevent the free movement of the Meiteis into Kuki inhabited areas.
It had also stated that only vehicles that transport essential commodities will be allowed to pass through.
"While the shutdown was necessary to bring attention to the plight of the Kuki-Zo people, we also recognize the need to restore normalcy and allow our people to resume their daily lives," KZC had said in the previous statement.