As the Kuki-Zo people across Kangpokpi district observed the fifth remembrance day today, they demanded the Centre for settlement of their political aspirations for the sake of justice and long-lasting peace.
The fifth remembrance day was held at Brig. M. Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi town under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills.
As part of the observation, CoTU also imposed a 15-hour total shutdown in the entire district apart from displaying a coffin rally and candlelight vigil to pay tribute to the Kuki-Zo Martyrs.
CoTU's General Secretary, Lamminlun Singsit gave the welcome and keynote address as the village volunteers displayed the coffin rally while Rev. Lamkeng Lhouvum, Chairman of Kangpokpi District Tribal Churches Forum dedicated the coffin and altars or offerings for the Kuki-Zo people.
Rev. Prim Vaiphei, former President of All Manipur Christian Organization, who is also among the last Kuki-Zo evacuated from Imphal attended the event as the main speaker.
A minute silence was observed by the thousands gathering as the village volunteers laid the coffins and various prominent Kuki-Zo leaders put a garland each over the coffins as a mark of respect and tribute to the Kuki-Zo martyrs.
CoTU's Media Cell Coordinator, Ng. Lun Kipgen said that the fifth Remembrance Day was observed to commemorate and pay respect to the departed souls who died in the hands of the majoritarian Meiteis in their quest for ethnic cleansing pogrom.
He said that during these five months long pogrom, more than 140 innocent Kuki-Zo people were killed; many women were sexually assaulted and paraded naked; more than 200 villages and 360 churches were burnt, and 41,000 people were rendered homeless.
He continues that as a religious minority, we are constantly facing subjugation and oppression from the Meitei-centric government and it is extremely sad that the NIA and CBI are busy arresting our people including students' leaders and minor girls.
He appealed to the central investigating agencies to be impartial in delivering justice.
We demand the immediate release of all the innocent Kuki-Zo as they were arrested on flimsy grounds without any substantial evidence apparently to appease the majority Meiteis, he added.
He also said that the Central Government must also acknowledge the ground reality that it is impossible for us to live together again and initiate the settlement of our political aspirations for the sake of justice and lasting peace.
Ng. Lun Kipgen further said that the Centre must not play partisan politics over the Manipur crisis, and stop using a prescriptive policy of giving suco to one community over the other.
"If the Centre really wants to solve the issue, they have to act in a non-partisan manner", he asserted.
To find a way forward, the Centre must impose the President's Rule or remove the incompetent Chief Minister and reconsider its decision and impose AFSPA in the entire state including the 19 Police Stations which have been exempted from the disturbed areas tag, he further added.
Various prominent Kuki-Zo leaders, village chiefs, civil society organizations also attended the event.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
