Kuki-Zo student bodies allege discriminatory justice; Symbolic posters-protest conducted in different places

Demanding justice for the Kuki Zo victims who have been killed in the ongoing conflict, and claiming that there has been discriminatory justice done by the Central government in present Manipur conflict, the representatives and volunteers of Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Churachandpur, and Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF) on Tuesday launched posters-protest against the concerned authorities within Churachandpur town area.

The volunteers of the two student bodies put up an effigies with inscription- ‘Justice is dead’ written on it along different locations in the district such as the Anglo Kuki War 1917-1919 Memorial Centenary Gate at Leisang, Tuibuong near Mini Secretariat, near Police Station and also near Lanva bridge.

Along with the effigies, volunteers also dangled different posters, pamphlets/ placards written against the State government on the side of the roads, suspended with long rope.

While briefing to the media in Leisang village at the Anglo Kuki War Gentenary Gate, the Vice President of KSO Churachandpur, Minlal Gangte said, “The Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Gate is where all the troubles started on 3rd May when some miscreants from Meitei community came and tried burning the gate. This is a very symbolic gate for the Kuki Zo because it is a gate which marks 100 years of our struggle for freedom where our forefathers fought against the British.”

Stating that they are putting up an effigy which is hanged using a Meitei Phanek,  Minlal added that it was a symbolic protest from their side to show that Meiteis had killed them and tried to distort their history.

The KSO Vice President further said that there is a discriminatory justice or a selective justice wherein Kuki Zo people who have been killed since May 3, numbering 100s are not given justice till this date. However, when a single Meitei is died or killed, the central government agency took up action swiftly and justice thus served for them, he alleged.

"This is a protest and a symbol to show that justice is dead for the Kuki-Zo and justice is done selectively," said Minlal.

The KSO leader also made an appeal to the Central government and all human right agencies that justice should not be one sided and justice should also be delivered for the Kuki Zo people who have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict and for those who were paraded naked.