Kukis in Kangpokpi intensify SA demand as UPF-KNO resume talk with GoI
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, July 26 2023:
The Kuki-Zo community in Kangpokpi district staged a massive peaceful sit-in to press the Central Government to materialize the 'Separate Administration' demand as the political talk between United People's Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organization (KNO) and the Government of India resumed today at the National capital.
This is the first formal meeting between the two conglomerate organizations of the Kuki militants and the Centre since May 3, even though informal rounds of discussions were held on a couple of occasions in the last two and half months.
Spearheaded by the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi, the Kuki-Zo people in large numbers congregated at Gamgiphai for the peaceful sit-in where slogans demanding the Centre to materialize the demand for Separate Administration during the talks were chanted.
Kuki-Zo supporters held banners and placards reading "We support UPF and KNO in the talks", "Declare Separate Administration for the Kuki-Zo people", "We have decided to live separately, no turning back..no turning back", "Separate Administration the only permanent solution", "Gallow Rapists of the Kuki-Zo women", etc.
As the sit-in was held at Gamgiphai, many other members of the Kuki-Zo community held prayers at various churches for the success of the UPF and KNO in the talks.
CoTU's general secretary, Lamminlun Singsit said that the solidarity peaceful sit-in aims at sending a message to the Centre about the spirited demand of the Kuki-Zo people for separate administration and to materialize it during the talks.
"We stand united in support of your representation and pray for your success, but you should never compromise the aspirations of your people with anything else except separate administration," he said.
He also said that the community appreciated the Centre for its timely decision to resume the formal talks with the UPF and KNO.
"We convey our trust in the Centre Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the Kuki-Zo problems and initiate a bold step for a permanent solution by declaring a separate administration," he said.
The gathering also echoed capital punishment for all the culprits involved in parading naked and alleged raping of Kuki-Zo women.