CoTU Declares Non-Cooperation Against Security Forces, Warns of NH-2 Free Movement Review Over Unmet Demands

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has resolved to launch a non-cooperation movement against all security forces stationed within Kangpokpi district under the operational command of the Superintendent of Police, Senapati, while announcing a series of measures, including the deployment of village volunteers in all fringe areas, amid mounting frustration over the government's failure to provide a tangible solution to its charter of demands.

The resolutions were adopted at a Leadership Consultative Meeting held today, following the conclusion of the 48-hour total shutdown imposed by the committee over the killing of two youths and a woman farmer and the critical injuries sustained by two other civilians at Taphou Kuki village.

CoTU has also resolved to review the free movement arrangement along National Highway-2 (NH-2), as well as government activities, if the incumbent government fails to respond swiftly and substantively to its charter of demands.

Under the first resolution, CoTU declared non-cooperation with all security forces stationed within Kangpokpi district under the operational command of the Senapati SP, signalling a serious breakdown of confidence in the existing security arrangement.

The second resolution calls for the immediate deployment of village volunteers across all fringe areas, underscoring the organisation's stated intention to strengthen community-level vigilance amid persistent security concerns and fears over civilian safety.

The third and potentially far-reaching resolution authorises a review of the free movement arrangement along NH-2 and government activities if the government fails to deliver a swift response to its charter of demands.

The latest resolutions come against the backdrop of CoTU's sustained agitation over the security situation in Kangpokpi district, particularly following the killing of two youths and a woman farmer at Taphou Kuki village and the serious injuries sustained by two other civilians in the same attack.

At the heart of the agitation is CoTU's charter of demands, which includes the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, rectification of police jurisdiction, stringent action against NSCN-IM and ZUF-K over alleged aggression and threats to civilian security, and removal of the alleged illegal NSCN-IM camp at Huthrong Brigade, Oklong, in Senapati district.

The committee has also demanded the withdrawal of Central and State security forces operating under the operational command of the Senapati SP from Kangpokpi district, maintaining that the existing security arrangement has failed to guarantee civilian safety and prevent repeated attacks.

CoTU has consistently described its charter of demands as sacrosanct, insisting that it constitutes a roadmap for restoring peace, civilian security and a semblance of normalcy in the hill regions.