New Delhi: The Kuki-Zomi tribals of Manipur, under the banner of Kuki Women Forum on Wednesday held a protest outside the Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence in New Delhi against the conflict that has affected over tens of thousands of lives across the state since May 3.
Sources said that four of the protesters were let in to Shas’ residence for a brief meeting while the rest of the protesters were shifted to the designated area – Jantar Mantar.
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The Kuki-Zomi protesters on other occasions under Tribal Solidarity Protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar had protested against the BJP-led N Biren Sing’s government, while demanded for imposing President’s Rule. Slogans such as “We Are Indians,” against the insinuation that the Kukis are illegal immigrants were chanted; as well as “We are Indians, our forefathers have been freedom fighters.”
Similarly, Manipuris (Meitei/Meetei) in New Delhi on June 4 gathered in hundreds called for peaceful co-existence between the Meitei and the indigenous Kuki communities in a peace rally held at Jantar Mantar, themed as “Rally Against Divisive Force and External Aggression as situation in Manipur continued to remain tense even after Shah’s four-day visit to Manipur for intervention.
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The ethnic conflict between the tribal Kuki-Zomi groups and the non-tribal Meetei/Meitei group has claimed over 80 lives with several thousands of homes displaced, internet shut since May 4 in the entire jurisdiction of Manipur.
In another news, amid the highly unstable Manipur state, torn in ethnic clashes between the two groups, which untamed could spiral out into full blown civil war, Meitei meira paibi women in thousands formed human chain as they marched in Imphal on Tuesday night with torches in their hands demanding safeguard of the territorial integrity of Manipur. They chanted in unison, “Long Live Manipur!”
Must read | Amid Manipur unrest, 10 Naga MLAs to meet Amit Shah on June 6; Consult Nagas before any settlement: MLAs
Meanwhile, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah has not met the ten Naga MLAs from Manipur state who have been camping in New Delhi for the last couple of days. Meeting with Shah was tentatively fixed for June 6 according to sources, however that has been delayed. However, reliable source confirmed that a memorandum has been submitted to the Union Minister.
In light of the ongoing violence in Manipur, the ten Naga MLAs interacted with representatives, intellectuals and social activists from the Naga community on Monday as a consultation in preparation for the meeting with Shah.
The ten Naga MLAs include five from the Naga People’s Front including transport minister in the Biren Singh’s government Khashim Vashum, Leishiyo Keishing, Awangbow Newmai, Ram Muivah and Losii Dikho. Two MLAs belong to the state’s ruling BJP party – SS Olish and Dinganglung Ganmei, while two others N. Kayisii and Janhemlung Panmei belong to another ally, Conrad Sangma’s National People’s Party, and J Kumo Sha Independent MLA.
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