General Secretary of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), Muan Tombing, has been charged of “conspiring to wage war against the Government of India” by the Manipur police
A police officer filed a complaint, and the case was opened at the Churachandpur Police Station. The FIR is registered under various IPC sections including sedition, criminal conspiracy, and provocation with the intent to incite riots.
This legal action follows Tombing’s contentious statement on Wednesday, November 15, in which he threatened to create a “self-governed separate administration” for the Kuki-Zo areas if the demands for a separate administration were not met in two weeks.
Tombing said, “It has been over six months and nothing has been done regarding our demand for a separate administration from the Manipur government. So, if our voice is not heard within a couple of weeks, we will set up our self-government.”
“Irrespective of whether the Centre recognises it or not, we will go ahead. As in a state or a union territory, we will set up a self-government that will look into all matters in the Kuki-Zo areas. We have to do this since our voice has not been heard,” Tombing added.
Aware of the possible ramifications of making such a claim, Law Minister Basantakumar declared on Thursday, November 16, that the ITLF and anyone connected to the controversial statement would face severe legal action.
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