UKHRUL: A protest rally was held on Sunday in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district from Nute Kailhang to the Office of the Superintendent of Police, condemning the alleged violence against the Kuki-Zo community and demanding the unconditional release of Kuki-Zo hostages.
The rally was organised by Committee on Tribal Unity, amid growing outrage over the killing of three Thadou church leaders on May 13 and the alleged abduction of several Kuki-Zo individuals in Senapati district. Protesters raised slogans demanding justice for the victims and immediate action from the authorities.
Among the key demands raised during the rally were the unconditional release of all Kuki-Zo hostages and the immediate implementation of the Charter of Demands submitted by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) following the killing of the three church leaders.
Participants marched peacefully carrying placards and banners highlighting concerns over the worsening security situation in Kuki-Zo inhabited areas. Organisers said the rally aimed to draw attention to what they described as continued violence, insecurity and government inaction.
Meanwhile, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) issued a press statement on Saturday announcing the extension of the ongoing 48-hour shutdown by another 48 hours, citing the government’s failure to respond positively to the Charter of Demands addressed to the Prime Minister of India on May 14.
“In view of the continued inaction of the Government and the failure to bring about any positive development regarding the Charter of Demands submitted by Kuki Inpi Manipur, coupled with the failure to rescue the Kuki individuals taken hostage in Senapati, Kuki Inpi Manipur, after thorough deliberation, has resolved to extend the ongoing 48-hour shutdown for another 48 hours,” the statement said.
According to KIM, the extended shutdown will come into effect from midnight of May 17. The organisation also expressed appreciation to its federating units, civil society organisations and members of the Kuki-Zo community for their “unwavering cooperation, solidarity and support” during the agitation.
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KIM further urged all federating units to continue endorsing and enforcing the shutdown as a collective appeal to the government to address the grievances of the Kuki-Zo people and take decisive action regarding the violence and abductions.
Earlier on Saturday, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) staged a protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the alleged violence, abductions and killings targeting the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur and other parts of the Northeast, PTI reported.
According to PTI, the Delhi-NCR unit of the organisation alleged that members of the Kuki-Zo community were being targeted by cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and its “proxy groups”, while accusing the authorities of failing to take decisive action despite repeated incidents of violence.
PTI reported that the protest was organised following the killing of three Thadou church pastors on May 13, injuries to several others and the alleged abduction of 14 Kuki-Zo men.
Students and supporters who gathered at the protest held placards carrying messages such as “Kidnapping civilians is a war crime”, “Justice before peace” and “Stop Ethnic violence”, calling for urgent intervention to restore security in the affected areas.
“Recent incidents involving Haijang, Gampal, K Songlung, Litan, Mullam and Lanchah villages reflect the worsening security situation and targeted persecution faced by innocent Kuki-Zo civilians,” the student organisation said in a statement quoted by PTI.
The organisation also expressed concern over alleged “illegal cross-border movement and illegal timber and drug trade activities” in areas including Namlee, Wanglee and Choro villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, PTI reported.
Further, PTI reported that the KSO claimed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had confirmed the involvement of NSCN-IM cadres in the alleged looting of a Punjab National Bank branch in Ukhrul involving around ₹20 crore.
Among the demands placed before the government were the abrogation of the ceasefire agreement with NSCN-IM, safe recovery of the abducted Kuki-Zo men, an NIA investigation into the killing of the pastors and the implementation of a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people.
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The organisation has reportedly demanded for the immediate implementation of separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people under the Constitution of India to ensure permanent peace, security, political protection and safeguard against repeated ethnic violence and targeted persecution.
The KSO stated that the demonstration at Jantar Mantar was conducted in a “peaceful and democratic” manner and was aimed at drawing national attention to the security concerns, violence and humanitarian issues faced by the Kuki-Zo community across Manipur and adjoining areas of the Northeast.