JTC says no to ‘animal road’ in Naga area

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 30 : Expressing serious concern over the grave threats and acts of intimidation directed at the indigenous Naga residents of Ireng (Puilong) Naga village in Kangpokpi by Kuki National Front (KNF), the Joint Tribes Council (JTC), Manipur has emphasised that no designated SoO or illegal camps would be allowed in the Naga foothills.
Additionally, it stated that no "animal road" or any unauthorized constructions would be permitted on Naga ancestral land, and illegal poppy plantations would not be tolerated in Naga areas.
In a statement, JTC stated that a KNF leader, identified as Tiger Kipgen (also known as Thangboi/Hao-genthang Kipgen), issued explicit and life-threatening warnings on January 12 around 11 am, stating that the Naga population would be fired upon and that entire villages would be burned down.
KNF is a signatory of the controversial Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact.
The situation escalated around 2 pm on the same day when about 30 fully armed Kuki militants were seen moving towards Ireng Naga village to intimidate and terrorise innocent civilians, the Council said.
Stating that an FIR was lodged against Tiger Kipgen and the armed cadres of the KNF on January 14, it added that the Working Committee of the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur also submitted petitions to several authorities, including the Union Home Minister, Governor of Manipur, DGP, NIA, IGAR (South), Security Advisor, Kangpokpi DC, Kangpokpi SP etc regarding the incident.
Despite the gravity of the threats and the filing of the FIR, no concrete action has been taken against Tiger Kipgen and the KNF cadres, alleged the JTC.
The JTC urged both the Government of India and the Manipur Government to immediately take stern, time-bound action against the KNF to ensure the safety and security of civilians.
Saying that they remain firmly committed to peace, the rule of law and the protection of indigenous ances- tral land and lives, JTC warned that continued silence and lack of timely action by the authorities, however, may compel unavoidable developments, "for which the Council cannot and should not be held responsible."