Kuki Zo Council Organizes Major Rally in Manipur for Political Settlement
Mass Rally in Churachandpur District
Imphal, Jan 14: On Wednesday, the Kuki Zo Council (KZC) demonstrated significant strength in Churachandpur district, Manipur, by hosting a large public rally aimed at advocating for a swift political resolution for the Kuki-Zo community, which includes their enduring request for a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly.
The rally, supported by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), commenced around 11 am, with coordination led by Ginza Vualzong, who serves as a spokesperson for both the ITLF and KZC.
Thousands gathered at three designated sites—Rengkai Community Hall, Koite Playground, and Sielmat Playground—before proceeding in a unified march to Peace Ground at Tuibong, where the rally culminated in a public assembly.
Participants carried banners and placards with messages such as “We Demand UT with Legislature,” “Expedite Our Political Solution,” and “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied,” while chanting slogans advocating for a separate administration and Union Territory status throughout the procession.
During the gathering at Peace Ground, Vualzong remarked that the mobilization in Churachandpur was part of a larger campaign across regions inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community.
“Similar rallies are being organized in all Kuki-Zo populated districts, including Tamenglong, Kangpokpi, and Chandel,” he noted, highlighting the substantial turnout.
Vualzong emphasized that the rally aimed to prompt the central government to hasten the political process. “Our demand is to expedite the political solution for the Kuki-Zo people. The crisis in Manipur has persisted for nearly three years,” he stated.
He also mentioned that the Kuki-Zo Council had previously submitted a political charter to the Government of India, requesting Union Territory status with a Legislative Assembly under Article 239A of the Constitution.
While discussions have begun with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF), both of which are Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups, he stressed the community's desire for quicker and more decisive advancements toward a resolution.
The rally concluded with a public meeting organized by the ITLF, featuring speeches from KZC chairman Henlienthang Thanglet, along with leaders from various philanthropic organizations and student groups.
Later that day, leaders from KZC and ITLF submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister via the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur.
This mass mobilization followed a joint meeting in Guwahati on Tuesday, which included SoO groups, Kuki MLAs, and representatives from the Kuki-Zo Council.
The meeting resulted in several resolutions urging the central government to expedite a political settlement, reiterating the demand for a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly as formally submitted in September 2023.
In the resolutions adopted unanimously, the meeting acknowledged a de facto demographic and administrative separation that has persisted for the past 32 months.
It resolved that the central government must finalize a negotiated settlement under the Constitution, including protections for land ownership.
Furthermore, the meeting resolved that the settlement should be finalized and signed before the current tenure of the Manipur Legislative Assembly concludes.
Regarding the reinstallation of an elected government in the state, it was stated that any new administration must provide a written commitment supporting the negotiated settlement for a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly, to be implemented within the remaining Assembly tenure.
The Kuki-Zo groups expressed their willingness to engage in the formation of a popularly elected government only if there is a clear political commitment from both the central and state governments toward the settlement.
Setting a definitive timeline, the meeting declared that a political solution for the Kuki-Zo people must be achieved before the 2027 General Election.