The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra received a warm welcome when it reached Kangpokpi district this morning at 8:00 am at Gamgiphai, the peripheral area of Kangpokpi and Imphal West.
Thousands of Kuki-Zo people welcome the senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his team with joyful hearts and excitement, displaying the Kuki-Zo famous traditional "Salulap Dance".
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra supporters in Kangpokpi district also blessed the senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with the slogan, "Pu Rahul Gandhi, Damsot hen", which means, "Hon'ble Rahul Gandhi, Long Live".
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra which was kicked off under the theme, "Saho Mat, Daro Mat", which means, "Tolerate No More, Fear No More" from Khongjom in Thoubal district reached Kangpokpi after halting a night at Sekmai.
Kangpokpi district is among the 110 districts in 15 states, which will be covered by the Yatra travelling 6700 plus Kilometres in a span of 66 days.
During the 25 Kms. journey in a Volvo bus before reaching Kangpokpi district headquarters, the Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights, or the KWOHR members, who traveled along with the senior Congress leader apprised him of the current situation, grievances and hardships, and the various human rights violation faced by the Kuki-Zo people and also highlighted the prevailing situation of Moreh.
A member of KWOHR told the media at Kangpokpi that, we have told Rahul Gandhi that unless the state forces, especially the Meitei commandos are withdrawn/removed from the border town, there will be no peace in Moreh.
The Kuki-Zo people in all the villages along the National Highway-2 were seen coming out on the roadside forming a human chain to greet Rahul Gandhi before reaching Kangpokpi District Headquarters.
Apart from several other Congress leaders, the INC candidates in the last MLA election in Manipur from Saitu AC Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip, and Saikul AC Kim Haokip also accompanied Rahul Gandhi in the yatra.
At Kangpokpi District Headquarters, the Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills met the senior Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi, who led the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and submitted a memorandum.
In the memorandum, Thangminlen Kipgen, President of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills said, I write to bring to your attention the deeply concerning situation of the ongoing ethnic violence between the minority Kuki-Zo and the majority Meitei communities in Manipur.
He stated that disturbingly, the violence that erupted on May 3 is believed to be under the influence of the N. Biren-led BJP government.
He also stated that the Kuki-Zo community is currently facing a severe crisis, exacerbated by the inability to access hospitals and colleges in Imphal, and in light of this, we urgently request your intervention in facilitating the establishment of a hospital and a secular college at Kangpokpi District through NGOs or private entities for the affected Kuki-Zo people as we have lost all faith in the governance system which has failed us.
He further stated that this step is critical in providing immediate relief and addressing the healthcare and educational needs of the affected population.
Strongly condemning the Manipur government's proposal to locate designated camps for UNLF surrendered cadres in tribal areas considering it as a direct provocation of the tribal sentiment, Thangminlen Kipgen stated that such a move not only jeopardizes the security of tribal populations but also raises serious humanitarian concerns.
He also stated that the recent efforts by the Manipur government to de-enlist tribes under the Kuki community as scheduled tribes is deeply distressing.
Pointing out that the Kuki community has a distinguished history of fighting alongside Indians during the freedom movement against the British, Kipgen stated that any attempt to revoke their scheduled tribe status undermined their historical contributions and rights.
The top Kuki body also seeks urgent intervention from Rahul Gandhi to address such critical issues, promote peace, and safeguard the rights of the affected communities in Manipur.
The Kuki Students Organization Sadar Hills, or the KSO-SH also submitted a memorandum to Rahul Gandhi appraising him of various timely needs and grievances of the Kuki-Zo people.
Firstly, to provide safe custody towards the Kuki-Zo's long educational goal, the KSO Sadar Hills appealed to the senior Congress leader to initiate the construction of Universities in Kuki-Zo-dominated areas at the earliest stating that due to the current crisis in the state, the Kuki-Zo people have been deprived of educational opportunities with special reference to the establishment of proper Universities in the Kuki-Zo jurisdiction.
Secondly, it also urged to spearhead the way for the Schools of the Kuki-Zo-dominated areas to affiliation with the Central Board of Education (CBSE) at the earliest for the younger generation to feel educational safety since the Kuki-Zo people cannot access affiliation in the School administration of the State.
Thirdly, KSO Sadar Hills urged Rahul Gandhi to renovate or construct proper road connectivity for the Kuki-Zo people, towns, and villages of the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas stating that with the present situations of the state, road connectivity amongst the towns and villages of the Kuki-Zo areas are deplorable which lead to improper connectivity and correspondences.
Fourthly, it also urged Rahul Gandhi's perusal, incursion, and redressal in solving the unemployment status for the Kuki-Zo people who allegedly are deprived of all sections of the Government setups and departments stating that at this present war-like crisis, the employment status and the silence of the present government make the youths miserable and to take into consideration the current state of employment of the educated youths with special reference to the Kuki-Zo people.
Fifthly, in connection with healthcare, the Kuki Students Organisation appealed to the senior Congres leader for the construction of CHC/PHC in all Kuki-Zo inhabited areas for timely coverage of Healthcare facilities.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
