Warring groups to commemorate with distinct titles
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 02 2024:
The ethnic crisis in Manipur, which resulted in the deaths of 219 people with 35 still missing, completes a year on Friday with both Meetei and Kuki-Zo communities planning to commemorate unprecedented violence under different distinct titles/themes.
According to reports received here, the ongoing crisis in the state has resulted in 119 fatalities, with 343 individuals sustaining injuries and 35 still traceless.
The violence, which broke out on May 3 last year, has also caused the destruction of 4786 houses and 393 places of worship.
Additionally, over 60,000 people have been displaced and are currently seeking refuge in various relief camps across the state.
While some Meetei organisations plan to commemorate the day as "Chin-Kuki Narco-Terrorist Aggression in Manipur" as the crisis reached the one year mark, the Kuki-Zo community has decided to observe the day as "Remembrance for their Fallen and Awakening of their People".
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) is all set to hold discussion session and observe the day as "Chin-Kuki Narco Terrorist Aggression in Manipur" at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.
Meanwhile, in remembrance of the May 3 incident last year, during which illegal immigrants from neighboring Myanmar and the Chin-Kuki-Zo community launched attack on the indigenous people of Manipur, specifically targeting the Meetei community, Federation of Civil Society Organizations (FOCS) will organise a State Level People's Convention in Bishnupur district.
In remembrance of the day when the Chin-Kuki-Zo narco-terrorists attacked the Meetei community in an attempt to destroy the territorial integrity of Manipur, Taragi Cheisu will organise a discussion session at its Porompat Ahongei office on Friday.
Addressing media persons on Thursday, Taragi Cheisu chairman Khaidem Mani said that the crisis cannot persist indefinitely and must be resolved.
He called upon all civil society organisations (CSOs) in the state to send their representatives to participate in the discussion session scheduled at the office from 11:30 am.
Highlighting the need of eliminating Kuki narco-terrorists from the soil of Manipur, Mani also stressed for thorough discussion on whether the people of the state and CSOs can oust these elements.
He asserted that if the state government deems itself incapable of addressing the issue, it should seek assistance from the central government to resolve the crisis.
The discussion session aims to provide a platform for addressing these critical matters, he added.
On the other hand different organisations of the Kuki-Zo community are also all set to observe the day under different names with the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) preparing to commemorate the day as "Remembrance Day" in Churachandpur, and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) as "Kuki-Zo Awakening Day" .
ITLF has also urged all members of the Kuki-Zo community to hoist black flag in every household as a mark of remembrance and solidarity.
Additionally, all business establishments, institutions, and markets have also been advised to remain closed on this day.
The violence in the state has forced members of the Kuki-Zo community to flee their homes in the valley area for safer locations.
Similarly, the Meetei community, residing in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Moreh, inhabited mostly by the Kuki-Zo community, has also been displaced and are currently seeking refuge in various relief camps established across the state for the past one year.
Total shutdown will be enforced in Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi district on Friday to mark the Kuki-Zo Martyrs' One Year Remembrance Day.
The Kuki-Zo community will observe the Remembrance Day under the theme 'Be Strong and Courageous, ' drawn from Joshua 1:9 at the Martyrs' Cemetery in Phaijang village, Kangpokpi district, under the aegis of Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, themed 'You Sacrifice Your Today for Our Tomorrow' .
The total shutdown will end on midnight of Friday.
As directed by CoTU, the Kuki-Zo community will hoist black flags at their respective homes on Friday to commemorate.
Remembrance Day and conduct candlelight vigil from 7 pm onwards in their respective homes.
Additionally, the same candlelight vigil will be held along the National Highway from Gamgiphai to Taphou and in all market areas.
As per CoTU, no other programmes will be organised by Kuki-Zo individuals or organisations during the observance of Kuki-Zo Martyr's One Year Remembrance Day.
Travelling, jhum cultivation and other activities are also strictly restricted.
All residents of the Kuki-Zo community in the district should participate in the observance, scheduled from 11 am to 3:09 pm, it said and instructed attendees of Remembrance Day to put black flag on their vehicles.
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