Kangpokpi protests death of woman
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, November 10 2024: Awave of anger and grief swept through Kangpokpi district as hundreds of Kuki-Zo women from Saikul region gathered in Saikul hill town to protest the killing of Zosangkim Hmar, a school teacher and mother of three, in Zairawn village, Jiribam district.

The incident has sparked demands for accountability from the Jiribam district administration and security forces, including the CRPF and Assam Rifles, accusing them of betraying their duty to protect the community.

Organised by the Kuki Women Union Saikul under the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), the protest condemned the Jiribam administration and security agencies' alleged failure to uphold peace promises made in the aftermath of an August 1 agreement.

Protesters chanted slogans such as, "We Condemn the brutal and charring/killing of Zosangkim Hmar", "We Want Justice", and "We Demand Union Territory with Legislature" .

CoTU spokesperson Ng Lun Kipgen criticised the Jiribam Peace Agreement, recalling that the August 1 meeting had aimed to restore peace between the Meetei and Hmar communities.

Yet, just three months later, the brutal killing exposed the failure of temporary peace accords without addressing the Kuki-Zo people's demand for a separate Union Territory with legislative powers.

He urged the central government to recognise the need for a separate administration to prevent further violence and ensure lasting stability for the Kuki-Zo community.

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