Thousands of young and old Kuki-Zo people from different walks of life on Friday took to the streets for a mass peaceful rally in Churachandpur district “against the gross human rights violations on the Kuki-Zo people”.
The rally, initiated and organised by the Kuki Women Organisation For Human Rights (KWOHR) with support from other civil society organisations and student organsiations, began from Leisang village ground and concluded at Peace ground Tuibong, near the site of Wall of Remembrance, opposite Mini-Secretariat.
The participants of the peaceful rally, mostly dressed in black attires to show their disappointment, were seen holding placards such as “Silence is consent, speak out for the rights of Kuki-Zo people; Valley for Meitei, Hills for Tribals; Neutrality favours the oppression; Peace is far fetched without justice; Manipur state government born in 1972, died on May 3, 2023; Inaction breeds indifference, act now; Meitei lies vs Kuki-Zo blood; Separation from rapists; Separation from murderers; Separation from looters and arsonists our rights; Please separate us from animals; Where is the law, where is justice; Our homes were burnt, ransacked and looted while the state govt watched; Separation is the only way for reconciliation.”
After concluding the rally, the participants gathered at Peace ground wherein leaders of different tribe organisations, civil voluntary organisations addressed the mammoth gathering.
Addressing the gathering, the President of Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, Ngaineikim rejected the claims made by the Meiteis that the ongoing crisis in the State was an outcome of separate administration demanded by the Kuki-Zo people.
Questioning the state government and the Meitei populace whether the innocent Kuki-Zo killed in early May in Imphal were demanding for separate administration, Ngaineikim said the Kuki-Zo were compelled to demand separate administration only after the Meitei began ethnic cleansing of the Kuki-Zo.
“The Meiteis have forced and chased the Kuki-Zo people from Imphal and warned us not return to Imphal. As such, the Kuki-Zo have started the demand for separate administration,” Ngaineikim said.
Condoling the death of a Meitei police officer in Moreh last month, the KWOHR President said the chief minister convened an emergency meeting and announced an ex-gratia for the deceased officer. However, the chief minister has not uttered a word in case of a Kuki-Zo Sub-Inspector of Manipur police, Onkhomang, who died on duty and nothing has been announced or done till date, she said adding that if justice can be delivered for the two Meitei teenage lovers, why not for those Kuki-Zo who died in Imphal.
Ngaineikim also said that all such actions and unequal treatment showed that the Meitei and Kuki-Zo have already separated. She then appealed to the people to avoid child labour and requested the people to approach KWOHR and consult if they faced any hardships.
She further announced that the Kuki-Zo women may even go to the extent of launching “fast unto death” if the Meitei commandos are not removed from Moreh.
The General Secretary of Kuki Inpi Manipur, Kaikhohao Gangte, in his speech said, “The ongoing crisis is an issue of survival for the Kuki-Zo and we will fight till the last drop of our blood”.
Claiming that buffer zones within a country has existed only in the present Manipur crisis, Kaikhohao Gangte said the creation of buffer zones also showed the Kuki-Zo and Meitei are already separated.
KIM General Secretary urged the people to work unitedly and support decisions taken by the Kuki apex body. He assured the people that KIM as an apex body will not work against the interest and welfare of its people.
The General Secretary of Kuki Students’ Organisation, General Headquarters, Seiboi Touthang, said the Meiteis have already declared war upon the Kuki-Zo, but the Kuki-Zo have not made any such declaration till date. Even though the Meiteis have began ethnic cleansing against the Kuki-Zo, the latter have been able to survive only because of unity among themselves.
Seiboi Touthang, while mentioning the immense importance of Kuki-Zo women’s role in the ongoing conflict, also appealed to the Kuki mothers to encourage their children who are old enough to be prepared as volunteers and uphold them in prayer.
Stating that Kuki-Zo since the past had been fighting for their rights and that the same has happened in the present crisis, Seiboi Touthang also encouraged the Kuki-Zo people to fight with truth but not on lies like some communities.
“The Kuki-Zo people are done away with the word ‘lies’ soon after they move out of Imphal valley,” he said.
Seiboi Touthang further said that the Kuki Zo people did not start the ongoing war but they were forced and compelled to response to attacks. He also expressed confidence that the Kuki-Zo will emerge victorious in any attacks against them.
Several other dignitaries from different civil society organisations such as ZSF, ITLF, Zo United, HSA, Hmar Inpui, PTC, etc., spoke on the ongoing violence perpetrated by the Meiteis, and urged the people to unitedly fight till the demand for separate administration is realised.
