Govt formation buzz in Manipur, Kuki-Zo tribals reiterate ‘political solution’ demand

The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) called upon the “entire Kuki-Zo general public” to participate in the rally to be held at all Kuki-Zo-dominated districts on the theme “Expedite Our Political Solution.”

Members of the Kuki-Zo Women's Forum protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, demanding a separate administration for the tribal population of Manipur living in its hill districts. (Image used for representative purposes.) (File Photo | Parveen Negi, EPS)

GUWAHATI: Amid the speculation that the government in ethnic violence-hit Manipur will be formed anytime soon, the Kuki-Zo tribals in the state are organising a “mass rally” on Wednesday to urge the Centre to expedite their political solution.

The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) called upon the “entire Kuki-Zo general public” to participate in the rally to be held at all Kuki-Zo-dominated districts on the theme “Expedite Our Political Solution.”

“The Kuki-Zo people have endured grave and unprecedented atrocities – large-scale destruction of homes and places of worship, and the continued displacement of over 40,000 innocent people. In view of these realities, it has become impossible for the Kuki-Zo people to continue under the same administrative arrangement. Accordingly, the Kuki-Zo people have formally and democratically demanded a Union Territory with Legislature from the Government of India,” the KZC stated in a statement.

The organisation lamented that nearly three years elapsed, yet no concrete political solution had been delivered by the government. The rally is being organised to convey to the Centre the need to provide a long-pending political solution for the Kuki-Zo people.

The rally in Churachandpur will be organised by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum. The organisers requested all schools and institutions to remain closed on the day of the rally as a mark of solidarity.

Kuki-Zo organisations have held their ground on the “separate administration” (Union Territory) demand, first flagged by the MLAs from the community in the wake of the ethnic violence which erupted on May 3, 2023. 

Meanwhile, as the Centre continues its efforts to form the government in the state, pressure mounts on the 10 Kuki-Zo legislators not to join it. A section of the Kuki-Zo groups stands opposed to their joining the government.

There are reports that these MLAs and Kuki-Zo rebel groups, which earlier signed the Suspension of Operation agreement with the government, will meet central government representatives at a closed-door meeting in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Manipur has remained under the President's rule since February last year.