UKHRUL: The Kuki Human Rights Council (KHRC) has urged MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam to respect the Kuki-Meitei boundary buffer zone stating that it is a measure that upholds the Indian Constitution and protects the rights of both communities.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, KHRC stated that the buffer zone, witnessed by Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, acknowledges the historical division of land and people between Kuki and Meitei communities, which has been a reality for decades.
KHRC asserted that the division of land and people in Manipur is not a new phenomenon, adding that the events of May 3, 2024, have further separated the communities politically and geographically, exacerbating existing tensions.
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It stressed that the Indian Constitution ensures every community’s right to protect their land, and it is imperative that this right is respected and recognized by all stakeholders.
It further stated that the centre didn’t divide Kuki and Meitei, but nature, land, and identity divide the two communities.
KHRC emphasized that the Meitei and Kuki communities have not been under a single administration since the conflict began, making it essential for both sides to learn to coexist peacefully as neighbors.
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“This is the only path to achieving lasting peace in the region, and it requires a commitment to mutual respect, understanding, and recognition of each other’s rights and territories,” it stated.
Appealing to all stakeholders to respect the buffer zone and work towards a peaceful resolution, KHRC cited a viral video clip of the MP standing on the ground and approving the buffer zone as a boundary between Kukiland and Manipur state created by Delhi.