Imphal: The Federation of Civil Organizations (FOCS), a Meitei body, has announced to launch “March to the Hills” at Imphal heading to Senapati via Kangpokpi along NH-102 (Dimapur-Imphal-Moreh) on March 8.
The announcement came in the midst of highly contentious directive from Union Home minister Amit Shah to ensure free movement along all national highways in Manipur. Several conflicting statements have emerged from different groups within the warring communities in the strife-torn state.
FOCS president Kh. Manihar, on Thursday said, “This is a peace message rally and is not intended to provoke the Kuki-Zo communities, to bring all communities under an umbrella of peace.”
Manihar said some Kuki-Zo organizations, including the Young Kuki, Village Volunteer (Eastern Zone), and others advocating for a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory, have reiterated their stance, stating that there will be no free movement in Kuki-Zo areas.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) and the Delhi Meitei Coordinating Committee (DMCC) have urged FOCS to postpone the march. However, in alignment with the central government’s directive for free movement from March 8, FOCS, with the support of ‘peace-loving individuals’, has decided to proceed with the rally as scheduled.
Manihar appealed to the public to gather at Kangla northern gate in Imphal by 9 am on March 8. “If time permits, we will try to reach Mao Gate along the highway.”
Since the outbreak of violence in Manipur on May 3, 2023, national highways, including NH-102 (Dimapur-Imphal-Moreh) and NH-37 (Imphal-Silchar via Jiribam), have faced severe restrictions. Connectivity between the valley and hills (specially Kuki controlled areas).
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