Kukis demand 'Solution first, peace next'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, May 23 2023: Kuki protestors conveyed to the central government their unanimous stand for "Solution first, peace next" during a sit-in protest held on Tuesday at Keithelmanbi Mil-itary Colony under Champhai sub-division.

The protestors also demanded that the solution should be based on the political talks of the United People's Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) with the governments of India and Manipur.

They also affirmed not to entertain any peace process initiated by the government without first addressing their problems.

Speaking on the occasion, Committee on Tribals Unity, Sadar Hills spokesper-son K Sitlhou posed why the government representatives coining to meet them only propagated about peace but said nothing on the community's suffering or heard their cries, when there is a lot of damage and loss of lives.

"We always accept peace but before it is talked about, we first want the central government to address our problems and give us a solution." Another member of the Committee highlighted the various grievances faced by the internal-ly displaced persons staying in relief camps in Kangpokpi district.

She said that people are scattered around, thousands are homeless and hundreds of relief camps have been set up with shortages of food, clothing, and many other basic amenities.

The committee member also pointed out that among many others, there is acute shortage of medical service for displaced persons.

The member also reiterated that they first want a solution based on political dialogue with their representatives, ie., UPF and KNO with the governments and then the peace process will be next only.

"I would happily forget or sacrifice the burning down of my houses and properties, the kill-ings, tortures and what not, if our problems are addressed by the central government with a solution," said one of the internally displaced men who joined the sit-in protest.

Meanwhile, an internally displaced woman from Bongbal Khullen who is currently staying in a relief camp in Kangpokpi district while nar-rating her ordeal claimed that the Meetei people led by police commando looted everything from their villages and burnt down all their houses rendering them completely homeless.

She also alleged that some women and girls were raped, among which some were murdered, while some survived the brutal crime.

The woman continued that they hid in the jungle without food and clothing and many were not even able to take slippers with them.

The children were scared and they could not sleep as they were hungry.

She further narrated that they could somehow reach Kangpokpi town after suffering untold mis-eries, after which they took shelter in a relief camp.

A similar sit-in protest will be held on Wednes-day at Saparmeina to draw the immediate atten-tion of the central government in addressing the problems of the Kuki people.

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