We will always stand United, says KIM; denies fissures among Kuki-Zo CSOs

Denying a news report on the development of differences among the Kuki-Zo civil societies, which appeared on The Hindu newspaper on Tuesday, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has said that the Kuki-Zo people were united and would always be against any force that came with a threat to their rights, dignity and integrity as a community.

Responding to The Hindu on Twitter, KIM said that there are no fissures among the Kuki-Zo civil society organizations as reported by The Hindu.

"There are no fissures among the Kuki-Zo civil society organizations as the Hindu reported. The Kuki-Zo people are united and will always be against any force that is a threat to our rights, our dignity and integrity as a community. We will always stand UNITED against any scheme that aims to divide us," KIM said on Tuesday.

There are no fissures among the Kuki-Zo civil society organizations as the Hindu reported. The Kuki-Zo people are united and will always be against any force that is a threat to our rights, our dignity and integrity as a community. We will always stand UNITED against any scheme…

— Kuki Inpi (@Kuki_Inpi) July 18, 2023

The Hindu newspaper reported that after Kuki Inpi Manipur’s statement specifically seeking a separate State under Article 3 of the Constitution in light of the ongoing conflict in Manipur, signs of fissures are starting to appear among Kuki-Zou civil society organizations (CSOs) and councils about the specifics of how they want to be separated from the State of Manipur.

As per the newspaper, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) had a meeting on Monday and decided to specify that they too are seeking a separate State, or a Union Territory if a State is not agreeable, as reportedly said by the spokesperson, Ginza Vualzong, while the Zomi Council has taken the position that specifics of autonomy can only be discussed once dialogue begins with the Union government.

Following its crucial cabinet meeting on July 12, 2023 and the Executive Decision taken thereof, the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of Kuki tribes, explicitly stated its demand for separate administration in the form of separate State under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution and lay down the rationale for demanding a statehood.

KIM stated that in the midst of the prevailing perilous situation arising out of the Machiavellian political dispensation designed and ordained by N. Biren Singh through state-sponsored ethnic cleansing pogrom being unleashed on the Kukis in India's Manipur, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) reaffirms its collective political demand in the interest of the general public.

Hmar Inpui, apex body of Hmar tribe, had earlier fully supported the ongoing movement of the Zo people for 'total separation' from Manipur, in its special assembly held on July 14-15, 2023.