Manipur violence: Refrain from crossing buffer zone, Kuki organisations tell Meiteis

GUWAHATI: Seven leading Kuki tribal organisations have appealed to the Meitei community to refrain from traversing the buffer zone demarcating Kuki-Zo-Hmar from Meitei-inhabited regions at Thangting Hills in Churachandpur district.
The seven organisations — Kuki Students' Organisation, Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, Kuki Chiefs' Association, Kuki Khanglai Lawmpi, Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Kuki Women Union (KWU) and Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights — in a joint statement said there was speculation that the Meiteis intended to cross the buffer zone at Thangting Hills in April.
Kuki groups said any such attempt will give rise to a conflicting situation at a time when violent incidents have noticeably reduced in Manipur.
"This press statement is made jointly by the Kuki civil societies to inform all that unless and until a political settlement is reached by the Govt of India for the Kuki-Zo community under the Constitution of India, no such friendly approach to the jurisdiction of Kuki-Zo land will be allowed for the Meitei community," read the statement issued by the six organisations late Wednesday evening.
"Whoever attempts to cross the buffer zone shall be considered a direct challenge to the Kuki-Zo community, and any untoward incidents that occur during such attempts shall be solely the responsibility of those who undertake them," read the statement.
Furthermore, to avoid further escalation, they cautioned that each community must maintain the status quo and respect the buffer zone. Any intention to cross the buffer zone will be opposed tooth and nail by the Kuki-Zo community, they warned. "The govt must take measures to safeguard the interests of the two communities," read the press statement.