Hate speeches root cause of conflict: ZCSC
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 28 2023:
The Zomi Council Steering Committee (ZCSC) has said that 'hate speeches' and concocted 'news' from Imphal valley bred and fed by the likes of COCOMI and government contributed to the ever-growing misunderstanding between the Kuki-Mizo/Zomi and Meetei communities.
Reacting sharply to COCOMI's press communique of August 25 and the accompanying representation to the Union home minster, the ZCSC said the national war declared by COCOMI against Zo ethnic (Kuki-Mizo/Zomi) communities was without any basis and accordingly the Zomi Chiefs' Association sought an apology from COCOMI.
However, COCOMI went ahead with more concerted effort to propagate their lies and also continued with their foreign aggression theory.
Without slightest hesitation, the COCOMI accused the Zo people who defended their land, dignity and very existence under India as being indoctrinated secessionists.
The same is utterly baseless and if it be ascertained based on recent history, the Meetei secessionist movement will only be the logical answer, the ZCSC said adding that the Zo people, both the civilians as well as the armed groups, have not for once propagated nor promoted a separatist agenda.
On COCOMI's allegation on influx of foreign nationals, the ZCSC said foreign nationals entering Zo ancestral lands in India from war-tom Myanmar is effectively dealt with by security agencies and it is a fact that such foreign nationals are booked under relevant provisions of law, jailed and deported in the recent past.
The ZCSC also said that Meetei's objection to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Kuki-Zomi armed groups namely UPF and KNO is irrational and is against government's general policy to end insurgency in Northeast India through peaceful process.
The ongoing political talks with SoO groups and its desired political solution is for the betterment of the Indian nation, its security and national integration unlike what is being communally interpreted and projected as anti-national by the Meetei community.
The ZCSC then appealed to the Zo people to not be misled and confused by 'hews' and press briefings coming from Imphal valley in journey towards separate administration.