Kuki-Zo Community Holds Statewide Rally in Manipur Demanding Justice
Statewide Rally Organized by Kuki-Zo Groups
Rally organised by Kuki-Zo community members across Manipur on Friday (Photo: AT)
Imphal, June 19: On Friday, Kuki-Zo organizations conducted a significant rally throughout Kuki-populated regions of Manipur, advocating for justice regarding the alleged murder of 14 Kuki-Zo civilians, the devastation of eleven villages, and a swift political resolution for their community.
The demonstrations, organized by Kuki civil society groups, attracted hundreds of participants who marched with signs and banners that highlighted what they termed as atrocities against the Kuki-Zo populace.
Protesters also voiced their outrage over the death of Lenminsang Haokip, claiming he was a civilian victim of a staged encounter involving security personnel.
During the event, Janghaolun Haokip, a spokesperson for the Kuki Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Kangpokpi, stated that the rally aimed to bring national awareness to the community's issues.
"Today, the Kuki-Zo community is rallying statewide to protest and demand justice for the destruction of eleven Kuki-Zo villages and the brutal killing of 14 civilians by NSCN-IM and its affiliates," he declared.
Haokip mentioned that a memorandum outlining their demands had been presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“This memorandum calls for justice for Lenminsang Haokip, the immediate termination of the ceasefire agreement with NSCN-IM, a prompt investigation into recent events, and a timely political resolution for the Kuki-Zo people,” he added.
Haokip further alleged that the community has endured ongoing hardships, with numerous villages set ablaze, roads obstructed, educational activities halted, and essential supplies disrupted for over a month.
"The significant suffering of the Kuki-Zo community is not just an act of aggression by NSCN-IM and its allied groups, but also a serious failure on the part of the government to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities," he emphasized.
Questioning the government's actions, he remarked, "Our people are being killed, villages are being destroyed, education has ceased, and supplies have been cut off for more than a month. Our community is starving. Where is the government? Where are our fundamental rights?"
Labeling the situation as an "SOS," the spokesperson for Kuki CSOs urged the central government to act promptly to safeguard the rights and security of the Kuki-Zo community.
The rallies concluded without incident, with organizers reaffirming their calls for justice, accountability, and a sustainable political solution to address the Kuki-Zo community's concerns.