Spineless lot: CVDF to Kuki Zo Council
CCpur body rejects 'open highways pact'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 05 2025: Hardly a day after the agreement to open National Highway-02 was taken, cracks have appeared within the Kuki-Zo communities with the Churachandpur based Central Village Defence Force (CVDF) now calling the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC)--"spineless" .

The CVDF called the KZC "spineless" for signing an agreement with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to allow "free movement" on National Highway-02, and accused the latter of "betraying" the aspirations of the Zo people.

"This agreement to open the Highway, in both intent and content, appears to prioritise the interests of the Imphal valley-ensuring free movement, supply of essential commodities, and an end to hostilities in that regionwhile completely disregarding the will, aspirations, and ongoing suffering of the Zo people since 3rd May 2023," said the CVDF in a press communique today.

The agreement to open the Highway that had been blocked since May 3, 2023 was signed between the KZC and the MHA in Delhi yesterday.

Later in the day, the KZC had however asserted that while the Highway is "open", restrictions in the "buffer zones" between Meitei and Kuki-Zo areas will continue.

The Central Village Defence Force (CVDF) asserted that it doubts the "onesided agreement" reached in Delhi will bring any benefit to the Zo people.

For over two years, the Zo people have endured immense hardships, including alleged denial of access to emergency medical services, essential commodities, and safe transportation from the Imphal valley.

The KZC, in pursuing this agreement, has ignored these "realities" and failed to uphold the principle that equal share and equal opportunity must be maintained for all communities, especially in times of crisis, claimed the CVDF .

It added, "The spineless KZC failed to represent its people by betraying the very essence of its formation or transformation for a common political platform for Separate Administration, yet trapped in signing an Agreement to allow free movement along a National Highway stretching around 210 Kilometres only" .

Any engagement or negotiation with the Government of India must not overlook the fundamental aspirations of "our people": a complete Separate Administration from the Government of Manipur.

This is the core demand of the Zo people and cannot be compromised, asserted the CVDF.

Those who may choose to re-establish links with those who drove us out from the valley may do so at their own discretion, but CVDF stands unwaveringly committed to the collective struggle of "our people", it added.

"Since our demand remains unaddressed and the ethnic crisis unresolved, the CVDF will not remain a mere spectator to the myopic politics played by vested individuals or organizations," it said.

"On the eve of the proposed visit of the Prime Minister, we earnestly appeal to him and his Government to hear the cry of our people and address our legitimate demand.

We hope his visit will mark a significant step toward realizing the political aspirations of the Zo people in general, and the Zomi community in particular," said the Central Village Defence Force (CVDF) .

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