Ukhrul, Mar 1: The Kuki-Zo community under the aegis of Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum ( KukiZoWF) and Kuki Students’ Organisation, Delhi & NCR, held a peace rally seeking an immediate political solution at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, today. The two bodies also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister reiterating their demands for an immediate political solution for the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur.
In the memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum, Delhi & NCR reiterating its demands, also stated that the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur, who had been an integral part of India since its inception, had historically faced marginalisation, injustices and systemic exclusion from mainstream governance structures in Manipur despite their great contribution for the nation.
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The Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum further stated that the present administrative machinery setup in Manipur had utterly failed to protect their lives and address their grievances, aspirations, and rights compelling them to demand the following:
i.Creation of a Separate Administration -UT with Legislature at the Earliest:
Creation of a Separate Administration in the form of Union Territory with Legislature at the earliest for the Kuki-Zo community, with its own governance structure and decision-making authority. The Kuki-Zo community has endured a long history of injustices, including forced assimilation, the seizure of their land, cultural suppression, genocides, and numerous other atrocities; hence, Separate Administration is the only viable path to the emancipation of the Kuki-Zo’s.
ii. Establishment of a Committee: Establish a committee to devise a roadmap for a Separate Administration of the Kuki-Zo community at the earliest. This approach will demonstrate the authenticity and reliability of the Central Government’s commitment to resolving Manipur’s intricate problems and fostering a lasting atmosphere of mutual trust.
iii. Protection of Rights and Interests:
Protect the rights and interests of the Kuki-Zo community, including their land rights, cultural heritage, and linguistic identity. A Separate Administration will enable the Kuki-Zo community to preserve their unique cultural heritage and linguistic identity.
iv. Non-arrest of our Village Volunteers who remain steadfast in defending innocent Kuki-Zo lives from the Meitei atrocities till date. And unless the Government of India ensures absolute and unwavering protection against Meitei atrocities on the Kuki-Zo’s, our arms not to be relinquished.
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Further, the forum demanded Separate Administration in the form of Union Territory with Legislature as enshrined in Article 239A under Article 3 of the Constitution, to secure their inherent right to self-governance and shape their destiny within the Union of India.
“Does the preservation of Manipur’s territorial boundaries take precedence over measures to protect and ensure the safety of its Citizens? Is the Indian parliament incapable of putting an end to the Kuki-Zo’s perpetual plight? Why is there a lack of constitutional safeguard for the Kuki-Zo’s, allowing their rights to remain unprotected?” the KukiZoWF asked the government.
The forum then stated that the communities have every right under the Constitution, to live with dignity and enjoy the same rights and freedom as every other community within this great nation-Bharat. Urging the PM, it added that initiating concrete steps toward their demand would represent a substantial step in resolving the Kuki-Zo community’s longstanding grave grievances and foster permanent peace, stability, and growth in the region.
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