On 31 August, people belong to Kuki-Zo Community hold protest in various places of Manipur state in demand for a separate administration. They demand separate land for them.
They also protest against the audio clips which was viral allegedly of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, in which certain objectional comments were made.
The community organized rallies in the area Leishand in Churachanpur district, Keithelmanbi in Kangpokpi and Moreh in Tengnoupal.
The protest was organized together by the Zomi Students’ Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO).
With placards in hand and slogans echoing, protesters claimed that a separate administration is the only valid solution to the current unrest in Manipur. One of the main posters at the rally read: “For peace in Manipur, Mother India has to deliver a new baby statehood called Kukiland.”
In Churachandpur, the protest rally began at the Anglo Kuki War Gate in Leishang and ended at Peace Ground in Tuiboung, covering 6 kilometers.
All markets and schools in the district were closed due to the rally organized by students from the Kuki-Zo community.
Commissioner (Home) N Ashok Kumar urged people to keep business establishment and private institutions open in view of rallies.
Hundreds of protestors joint the rally that started from Keithelmanbi Military Colony in Kangpokpi and marched 8 kilometers to Thomas Ground in the district headquarters.
The Manipur Government said that audio clips, falsely claiming to be the voice of Chief Minister. Government also stated the audio clips shared in social media to disrupt the peaceful situation in the state. The government claimed that the audio clip is doctored and police is now investigating the matter.
Another protest march took place in the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh, where people demanded a separate administration.
Manipur CM N Biren Singh reject Kuki-Zo community demand
In a media interview CM N Biren Singh rejected the demand of separate administration.
During a press conference on Thursday in New Delhi, some Kuki-Zo community representatives called for the creation of a union territory with a legislature, similar to Puducherry, as a solution to the ongoing conflict.
Singh, a Meitei who has been accused by Kukis of favoring his community during the ethnic violence that started in May last year and deeply divided Manipur society, has expressed support for a special development package for the state’s hilly region where Kukis live.
The clashes between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei ethnic groups since May 2023 have resulted in 226 deaths, according to official reports.
