Imphal: Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum Delhi and Kuki-Zo Council have appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare a separate administration for Kuki-Zo during his visit to Churachandpur in Manipur.
Both the Kuki-Zo bodies welcome the visit of the Prime Minister.
The Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum Delhi, in a press note released on Wednesday said it welcomes the historic proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kuki-Zo Land on September 13 at Peace Ground.
This visit marks a pivotal moment. as it will be the first time in Indian history that a Prime Minister will set foot in Kuki-Zo territory, especially after 28 months of unprecedented state-sponsored ethnic cleansing and genocide inflicted upon the Kuki-Zo community, it added.
Since May 3. 2023. the Kuki-Zo people have endured unimaginable atrocities under the leadership and direct complicity of former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba of Manipur, whose regime allow armed Meitei extremist groups to carry out mass killings, arson, sexual violence and forced displacement with impunity. Over 60.000 Kuki-Zo people have been rendered homeless. countless lives have lost, and the community continues to live in a state of fear and insecurity, it said.
“The visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister brings a ray of hope for justice and lasting peace.”
Considering this historic moment, the Kuki-Zo Women Forum Delhi appealed to the Prime Minister to take decisive action by “declaring a Separate Administration In the form of a Union Territory with Legislature to ensure the safety, dignity, and political representation of the Kuki-Zo people”.
It also appealed to take action by holding accountable those responsible for the genocide, including state and central officials who failed in their constitutional duty to protect lives; ensuring rehabilitation and resettlement of thousands of displaced families with security guarantees; and dismantling extremist groups such as Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun and other Meitei separatist terrorist organisation that continue to terrorize minority communities.
“The Kuki-Zo community has lost faith in the Manipur state government, which has proven incapable of ensuring justice or coexistence. A Separate Administration is now the only viable solution to safeguard the future of our people and restore peace to the region. We urge the Hon’ble Prime Minister to rise to this moment in history, deliver justice to the victims, and lay the foundation for a peaceful and inclusive future for all communities in Manipur,” the Kuki-Zo Women Forum Delhi said.
The Kuki-Zo Council, in a statement released on Wednesday, said on behalf of the entire Kuki-Zo community, it warmly welcomes the forthcoming visit of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, ‘to our land’. This is a historic and rare occasion, as it comes nearly four decades after an Indian Prime Minister last visited our region.
“The people of the Kuki-Zo community have endured immeasurable hardships over the past years. More than 250 innocent lives have been lost at the hands of the majority Meitei community; over 360 churches and places of worship have been reduced to ashes; more than 7,000 homes have been burnt; and over 40,000 of our people continue to live as displaced persons in relief camps, separated from their ancestral homes.”
“Whether one like it or not, the stark reality is that the Kuki-Zo people have been forcibly separated by the actions and aggression of the majority community in Manipur. Despite these grave circumstances, we continue to uphold our faith in the democratic spirit and leadership of India.”
“For years, we have been voicing our demand for complete separation from Manipur, seeking a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory with legislature under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution. This demand arises not from convenience, but from necessity—for peace, security, and survival of our people.
As the leader of our great nation, we are confident that the Hon’ble Prime Minister will give due recognition to our voice, our pain, and our aspirations. We place our trust in your leadership to heal our wounds, restore our dignity, and safeguard the future of the Kuki-Zo people.”
Hectic preparation in two key locations of PM’s function has been taking up with security arrangement in the heart of Imphal city and Churachandpur. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has conducted two separate meeting with the legislators one in Raj Bhavan, Imphal and another at district commissioner’s office Churachandpur.
Twenty-three BJP legislators including state party president attended in the Raj Bhavan meeting held on Sunday.
The Governor met five Kuki-Zo MLAs in Churachandpur on Tuesday at the deputy commissioner’s office.
MLAs Ngursanglur Sanate, Vungzagin Valte, L Haokip, LM Khaute, Paolienlal Haokip, and BJP’s Churachandpur district president Thanglam Haokip attended the meeting.
Sources said Modi might be interacting with some internally displaced persons both in Churachandpur and Imphal during his visit.
