Manipur: WCKCSOs-Ukhrul orders tax remittance to Kangpokpi amid Kuki-Zo security concerns
By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The Working Committee of Kuki Civil Society Organisations (WCKCSOs) Ukhrul has accused both the Manipur government and the Centre of failing to ensure the safety and welfare of Kuki-Zo communities in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts amid continuing unrest in the hill regions.
In a statement titled “Directive Against Continued Failure of the Governments”, the body alleged that repeated memorandums and appeals submitted by the community had received no meaningful response, resulting in what it described as prolonged administrative neglect and governance failure.
The organisation claimed that authorities had not acted on key demands, including implementation of the March 19 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), adequate protection for villagers and the creation of an alternative administrative mechanism for affected areas.
WCKCSOs-Ukhrul further alleged that NSCN (EF) cadres carried out a series of intermittent attacks on Kuki villages in Ukhrul district on May 22.
According to the committee, Mongkot Chepu village was allegedly targeted several times during the day from the direction of Sikibung, while Patleijang village reportedly came under attack later in the night from the TM Kasom/Roudei side.
The organisation stated that repeated incidents of violence and the inability of the authorities to prevent them had severely weakened public trust in the administration.
Amid escalating tensions, the committee directed the Kuki Chiefs’ Association (KCA) to begin collecting Hill House Taxes from Kuki villages located in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts and transfer the revenue to the authorities in Kangpokpi district.
It also instructed the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO)-Ukhrul to intensify democratic protests through peaceful means, including the installation of signboards and hoardings before June 1 declaring Kuki villages in the two districts as falling under Kangpokpi district.
The committee said such measures had become necessary because of what it termed persistent government indifference, recurring security lapses and continued neglect of the Kuki-Zo population.
The statement warned that any further deterioration in the situation due to continued inaction would be the responsibility of the authorities concerned.