The Kuki-Zo tribal bodies took out rallies across the hill districts of Manipur calling for the Centre to carve out a Union Territory (UT) for the community, to end the ongoing ethnic conflict in the State.
They said a UT with a legislature, as provided under Article 239A of the Constitution, was the solution to the crisis.
At the protest rallies held in the hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Pherzawl-Jiribam, and Tengnoupal, many speakers reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should visit Manipur and show his intent to solve the crisis in the State.
The Kuki-Zo bodies also submitted a memorandum to Home Minister Amit Shah through their respective district administrations, seeking that their demand for a political solution be expedited.
Counter-protests
Meanwhile, women vendors, also known as ‘Imas’ or ‘mothers’, of the Imphal Valley, along with other civilian women’s groups, held marches and demonstrations in the capital city, urging the Union government to “stop supporting Kuki militants”. They held posters with slogans: “No separate administration”, “No arrest of village volunteers”.
The ethnic conflict between the valley-based Meitei community and the hills-based Scheduled Tribe Kuki-Zo community has been under way since May 3, 2023. In the violence, more than 220 people have been killed, thousands injured, and tens of thousands internally displaced. In the latest spate of violence, Jiribam district saw tensions earlier this month after bodies of a Kuki-Zo community member and a Meitei were discovered within weeks of each other.
On Monday, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum in Churachandpur said thousands of people attended the march, with many protesters holding placards that read: “No political solution, no peace”; “Ensure justice first, peace will then follow”, etc.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) in Kangpokpi said it too took out a march in the district on Monday, with Janghoulun Haokip of the KIM saying, “It was a massive rally reflecting the sentiments of the people for a swift solution to their political demand. Memoranda were submitted in all districts.”
‘Unable to meet PM’
In Churachandpur, BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip spoke to the crowd of protesters, saying that Kuki-Zo MLAs had sought a meeting with Mr. Modi a year ago, but were yet to be granted audience. “So now, if Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants a solution to this crisis, let him come to Lamka (Churachandpur),” he said.
In Chandel and Tengnoupal too, Kuki-Zo tribal bodies took out rallies and held prayer services. The Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Council of Jiribam and Pherzawl districts said they too held protest marches in Pherzawl’s Parbung area and Jiribam’s Tuisolien, pushing for a separate administration.
In the Imphal Valley, the women vendors held a demonstration at Khwairamband Keithel, objecting to the manner in which the Union government was handling the ongoing conflict. The Imas of Manipur have been alleging that the Union government was “siding with Kuki militants” – an allegation levelled by other groups such as Meira Paibis as well.
The women also marched through the streets of Imphal towards the Kangla Fort but were stopped by the police. The crowd then returned to Khwairamband Keithel, where a sit-in was held till 1 p.m..
Leishram Mema, convener of the Khwairamband Ima Keithel Joint Coordinating Committee for Peace, said, “If PM Modi or HM Amit Shah want to give land to Kuki terrorists, they should do so in Gujarat, not in Manipur.” She added that they will continue to protest against the arrest of village defence volunteers of their community, further asking why Central security forces and police were targeting the defence volunteers, instead of “protecting us from Kuki militants”.
Published - June 24, 2024 05:53 pm IST
