The Kuki-Zo community across Manipur, especially Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts, held a mass rally on Monday, drawing the attention of the Centre to expedite the resolution to the Kuki-Zo Political Solution.
The rallies were organised under the aegis of Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU).
The rally in Kangpokpi kicked off at Nute Kailhang in downtown Kangpokpi and proceeded towards DC Office Kangpokpi via the National Highway 2 with the thousands rallyists holding placards which read, “End the Delay: Secure Kuki-Zo’s Future Now”, “No More Waiting: Fast-Track Kuki-Zo’s Political Solution”PM, “Time for Change: Expedite the Kuki-Zo Political Solution Now”, “Justice for Kuki-Zo, Expedite the Political Solution”, etc.
A three-hour total shutdown was also imposed in the entire Sadar Hills Kangpokpi district from 10 am to 1 pm. All government offices and institutions, including banks, private institutions and business establishments were closed during the total shutdown while vehicular movement was also restricted.
However, students appearing for their semester examinations, media personnel, and emergency services were exempted from the purview of the total shutdown.
A five-page memorandum was submitted to Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the Deputy Commissioner of Kangpokpi by leaders of CoTU and various other Kuki-Zo CSO leaders at the DC office in Kangpokpi.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), in its Memorandum, drew the attention to the enduring hardships faced by the Kuki-Zo community due to relentless atrocities and subjugation by the majoritarian community in Manipur over the past 14 months while expressing deep appreciation to the Union Home Minister for initiating renewed efforts to address the ongoing crisis in the state.
In Churachandpur, the ITLF organised the rally between Lamka Public ground to Peace Ground near the DC of Churachandpur office demanding to expedite the demand for Union Territory with legislature under article 239A of the Indian.constitution.
Before the rally set off, the public congregated at Lamka public ground where the gathering was addressed by leaders of the Zo United, Kuki Inpi Manipur, Zomi Council and leaders of the ITLF and thereafter was flagged off by the Zomi Council general secretary Pauneihlal Vaiphei.
The rally got started from Lamka public ground and went via Tipaimukh road, IB road and then Tedim road till reaching The Wall of Remembrance near Mini Secretariat, Tuibong where a remembrance coffin of 200 or more tribal wase places.
On the occasion a memorandum addressed to the Home minister Amit Shah was submitted through the Churachandpur DV Dharun Kumar.
They carried banners which read, “Expedite A Political Solution for the Kuki Zo people” and placards that read “No political solution , no peace”, “ Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo people right now”, “force union with Meiteis will not last”, “ We want UT under Art 239”, etc.
Saikot AC MLA Paolienlal Haokip stated that if the government wants peace then it has to come and find peace here (Manipur). We have been knocking at the doors of various central departments in our quest for peace but it has still been elusive, he added.
The memorandum to the Home minister also stated “We thanked your renewed effort to stem the violence in Manipur and restore peace in the state” while reiterating “the SoO groups belonging to the Kuki- Zo tribes have already submitted our political demands asking for Union Territory with a legislature under article 239(A) of the Indian Constitution”.
(With inputs from Churachandpur Correspondent)
