Kuki-Zo CSOs stick to SA demand
Source: Chronicle News Service
CCpur/Kpi, May 03 2024:
Commemorating one-year of the violence that broke out on May 3, 2023, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) observed the day as 'Awakening Day' and raised pressing concerns of the Kuki-Zo people to the Prime Minister through a memorandum.
The KIM memorandum urged the PM to address plight of the Kuki-Zo people and expedite the process for a permanent solution for the Kuki-Zo people as proposed by the Kuki-Zo SoO groups.
It said that separate administration is the only viable solution to the gross violation of human rights and the long history of oppression and subjugation faced by the Kuki-Zo community.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) also observed the day as 'Kuki-Zo awakening day' .
The first session of observance began with mass prayer at Churches from 7am to 9am and the second session with condolence service from 7.30 am to 9 am at the Martyrs cemetery at Sehken village.
Later, floral tributes were paid to graveyards of the fallen heroes by families and their near and dear ones followed by CSO leaders.
The 3rd began from 2pm at the Wall of Remembrance while the 4th session from 7pm to 9pm was marked with candle lighting at Wall of Remembrance in remembrance of the fallen heroes.
On the other hand, a total shutdown was imposed in Churachandpur from 6am to 6pm Friday by the Joint Students' Body, which observed the day as a 'Day of Separation and the Inevitable Split' .
Meanwhile, the Zomi Council Steering Committee (ZCSC) submitted a memorandum to the President of India highlighting plights of the Zo ethnic tribes - Hmars, Kuki-Zos and nine Zomi tribes - and called for the Centre's much-needed intervention on the ongoing violence.
The memorandum explicates the need for restoration of normalcy and ensuring peaceful co-existence by way of creating separate administration for the Zo ethnic tribes under the Indian Constitution in the form of Union Territory with Legislature by highlighting the already existing undeniable separation between Meetei and Zo people.
Meanwhile, our Kangpokpi correspondent reported that Kuki-Zo community in Kangpokpi district observed 'Separation Day' on Friday to mark one-year of Kuki-Zo martyrs remembrance day on the theme 'Be strong and courageous'.
The solemn event held at the Martyrs' cemetery at Phaijang village under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills Kangpokpi district was attended by thousands of Kuki-Zo people including family members and loved ones of the fallen Kuki-Zo martyrs.
The 'Separation Day' was observed with a total and absolute shutdown across the entire district which began from May 2 midnight and culminated May 3 midnight.
As directed by the committee, the Kuki-Zo community displayed unity and respect by hoisting black flags at their respective homes while observing candlelight vigils.
Candlelight vigils were also held along NH-2 road from Gamgiphai to Taphou and in all market and town areas.
Speaking on the sidelines of the observance, CoTU media cell coordinator Ng Lun Kipgen expressed that the Remembrance Day observed on the third of every month has gained significant on Friday as it completes one year.
He said that not a single instruction or action in the whole year has been initiated by the centre to the state to stop the attacks on Kuki-Zo community.
He also said that Remembrance Day also provides solace to the bereaved families of the fallen Kuki-Zo martyrs.
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