Kuki Zo protest | Archive photo
Kuki-Zo groups staged a protest under the banner of Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) here on Saturday, demanding separate administration for Kuki-Zo tribal communities in ethnically strife-torn Manipur.
The Delhi-NCR unit of the KSO also released a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a separate Kuki-Zo administration in Manipur and opposing the Centre’s decision to withdraw the Assam Rifles from buffer zones in the northeastern state.
Between 600 and 800 members of the Kuki and Zo communities gathered at Jantar Mantar despite the rain, said KSO general secretary Seilenmang Haokip.
“We, the Kuki Students Organisation of Delhi-NCR, write to you with a deep sense of urgency and desperation. The Kuki-Zo people are suffering from grave atrocities and existential threats under the present Meitei government in Manipur headed by Chief Minister N Biren Singh,” the organisation said in its memorandum to Modi.
“Kuki-Zo tribal communities are facing an existential threat under the current state administration, which has failed to protect our rights, lives and dignity,” he added.
He appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene and take immediate steps to establish a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur.
“We, therefore, earnestly request you, Hon’ble Prime Minister, to intervene in this matter and take immediate steps to establish a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo tribal communities in Manipur,” the memorandum reads.
“This is not just a demand for political autonomy, but a plea for our very survival,” he added.
The KSO said the Biren Singh government had not only failed to protect the Kuki-Zo people but had “actively participated in their persecution.”
“State security forces have acted in a biased manner, with targeted arrests, harassment and intimidation of Kuki-Zo members. In many cases, the police have turned a blind eye to atrocities committed against our people or have actively participated in the violence,” he said.
The KSO also expressed opposition to the BJP-led Centre’s decision to withdraw the 9th and 22nd battalions of the Assam Rifles from the buffer zones in Manipur.
“The Assam Rifles have played a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the region, especially in areas where the state police have failed to act impartially. The buffer zones, controlled by the Assam Rifles, have been a lifeline for the Kuki-zo people, providing them much-needed protection from violent attacks by radical elements within the Meitei community,” he said.
The protesters expressed concern over the “possible repercussions” of replacing the Assam Rifles with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in these sensitive areas, according to a statement issued by the KSO.
“The buffer zones, set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs in May 2023, have been maintained by the Assam Rifles to separate the warring Meitei and Kuki communities and prevent further violence in the conflict-ridden state,” the statement said.
“The Assam Rifles have been instrumental in stabilising the situation in the buffer zones of Manipur,” a KSO spokesperson said during the rally.
“Their removal at this volatile time could undo progress made towards peace and potentially lead to a resurgence of violence,” he added.
The KSO highlighted the Assam Rifles’ long-standing presence in the Northeast, emphasising their familiarity with the region’s terrain and socio-political dynamics, as well as the trust they have earned from local communities.
The memorandum was signed by KSO President Paojakhup Guite and Haokip. The organization said the memorandum was sent to the Prime Minister’s Office.
On 3 May 2023, ethnic violence broke out in Manipur after a tribal solidarity march was held in the state’s hill districts to protest against the demand of the majority Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Since then, more than 220 people, including members of both communities and security personnel, have been killed in the ongoing violence.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First published: August 10, 2024 | 10:35 PM IS
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.