The Kuki Delhiites on Friday observed the 6th month of the Meitei atrocities on the Kukis of Manipur at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
The sit-in observance marked various peaceful demonstrations. Visual representations like the Tiranga in their hands and Unity T-shirt emblazoned with captivating slogans, traditional scarves or mufflers tied around the head or neck are also in sight. Besides these, powerful speeches and slogans are delivered by eminent leaders and human rights activists.
The Delhi Joint Artistes enthralled the audience with the we-feeling “I Gam Hilou Ham?”, a song composed by late LS Mangboi Lhungdim.
The peaceful sit-in protest is jointly organised by Joint Unau Delhi Tribal Students’ Forum, Delhi; Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum, Delhi; and Unau Tribal Women’s Forum, Delhi.
During the protest, Glaldy Vaiphei shared her grief for those unburied Kuki martyrs. Their mortal remains left to rot in the morgues of Imphal are what “not unclaimed”, but what “we cannot claim” due to the egregious geographical and demographic separation of the two belligerent communities. She has even gone further in sloganeering that, “I am Kuki, I am Kuki-Zo and, I am not a terrorist” to dispel the obnoxious media framing tactics of the Meiteis against Kukis as “narco-terrorists”.
P. Chongloi, Lhangsam (Information Secy.) of Kuki Inpi, put out his take on what human rights is in a generic sense of the term. For the Convenor of the Sit-In Protest, the Meitei atrocity on Kukis is more gross and merits more attention than any other, “because ours is about violation of human rights” in its ugliest form. Mr. Chongloi has been miffed at the Centre-laid helicopter schedule the service of which is mandatory to stop-over at Imphal and then only proceeds to Lamka.
Vishwajeet Singh, a Delhi-based advocate, is much aware of the socio-political faultlines of the state of Manipur. He shared his solidarity with the Kuki people of Moreh who are currently being subjected to state-sponsored atrocities in the garb of combing operations by the State Police Commandos. He is such a lawyer who has always been opposed to the majoritarian, integrationist politics of the region.
Suhas Chakma, Director of the Rights & Risks Analysis Group, has called the crisis as riots. Riots don’t last more than two weeks, but the crisis in Manipur is so unique in that it has been stretched out to over six months now, he said. Chakma chalked out a way where provisions for the riot-induced Internally Displaced Peoples of the Kukis could avail of. “You cannot fight with empty stomach. Government has a scheme under which the IDPs, affected by border crisis or Left Wing Extremism (LWE), or anything of that sort are provisioned. The Kuki people should also explore it and avail the packages for those 50,000 displaced Kuki people,” he said. The Human Rights Director also made a suggestion to replace the term “Separate Administration”. He instead pitched for “Devolution of Powers”. To illustrate his stance, he gave China as an example where one could find elements of separate administration in provinces like Macau, Hongkong, etc. Separation is what he is abhorrent to.
Responsive slogans were put forth, such as “Manipur Government- Stop attacking Moreh”, “6 Months- Where is Justice?”, “We Seek-Justice” by an organiser member.
Mr. John Dayal, Human Rights and Christian Political Activist, also stood up in support of the protest against institutionalised human rights violations in Manipur.
Sholet Lhungdim, Kumpipa of Kuki Inpi, has made a brief introduction on the traditional institution called Kuki Inpi. Lhungdim exuded his confidence in the Centre as “we have been part of the struggles for India’s Independence.” He made a fervent request that Kukis in Delhi should not divide further on any artificial lines, and expressed his desire to see the diaspora to stand united, which otherwise they will fall.
Pi Kim Gangte began her speech with a responsive slogan, “Long Live- KukiZo”. She enquired upon the State and Centre of what exactly is meant by “immigration.” She has even mocked at the State CM Biren of not knowing what exactly the prefix “honourable” means in “Hon’ble Chief Minister”. She has mooted over meeting the Prime Minister of this great nation called India. She has laid bare about her dissatisfaction in meeting the Union Home Minister, for he has failed and fooled the Kukis enough times this far.
Most importantly, the crowd has shown its joy and excitement in the presence of the famed- Arijit #Kuki_Zo. “Being together is what would take us to victory”, said Arijit. Discrete nomenclatures such as Kuki, Mizo, Zomi, Hmar (and what not) would take us nowhere. Togetherness is need of the hour, he said.
In the words of Dr. Maya John, a women activist, “Meiteis are being made the face of the Centre”. The Centre is merely having “corporate interests in the hills and Meiteis will never come and stay in the hills”.
Aishe Ghosh, President of JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU), deliberated on the looting of state armoury by the Meitei militia like Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun. He promised the audience that he will be organising another event on November 5 to have a threadbare discussion on the issue of armoury lootings. He even asked every concerned Indians to participate in the event on this coming Sunday at 10 am at the same venue. He concluded his speech with slogans: “Peace in Manipur; Peace in India; Peace in Gaza; and Peace in the world”.
The congregation rise up in reverence of the departed souls, followed by singing of the National Anthem.
The protest concluded peacefully with a benediction prayer from Rev. Tongminthang Haokip, Pastor, Kuki worship Service Delhi (KWSD).
