IMPHAL: The Indigenous Tribal Leader’s Forum (ITLF) in Manipur has slammed the state government’s recent directive to submit weapons to jurisdictional police stations ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Expressing concerns over the order, the ITLF highlighted the ongoing uncertainty in the region and also pinpointed that licensed firearms submitted in 2023 had not been returned.
In a statement released by the forum, they highlighted that the government’s focus solely on election-related matters could overlook the broader challenges faced by the community.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Young Kuki, representing Kuki youths and volunteers in the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha Constituency, declared their decision to abstain from participating in the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha Elections in 2024.
Additionally, Kuki Mothers, another faction of the tribal body, announced their intention to boycott the elections.
These decisions come after the ITLF Presidential Council, in consultation with constituent member tribes, reached a consensus that no member from the Kuki-Zo community should file a nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ITLF Presidential Council cited persistent issues faced by the Kuki tribes, including violence, oppression, displacement of individuals, unchecked weapons violence and unaddressed crimes against Kuki women.
The Youth Kuki faction, urging the Centre to address these pressing concerns, stressed that the boycott served as a plea for attention to the community’s plight.
They reiterated their commitment to constructive dialogue and urged the government to engage in meaningful discussions to resolve these longstanding issues.
However, the council encouraged community members to exercise their democratic right to vote while refraining from contesting for the Outer Manipur Member of Parliament seat.
