Kuki in Manipur push for separate state amid rising tensions (Image: Organiser)
The Kuki tribes in Manipur are increasingly vocal about their demand for a separate state, as indicated by recent activities from various Kuki groups, both overground and underground. This movement has gained significant momentum, with the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) leading the charge.
On June 20, the ITLF announced plans for non-violent demonstrations on June 24 to advocate for a Union territory specifically for the Kuki-Zo people of Manipur. In their statement, the ITLF also voiced opposition to the autonomous district council elections, accusing them of causing divisions among the Kuki-Zo community.
“We request everyone to join in great numbers to demonstrate our political demands,” the ITLF urged, encouraging widespread participation in the rally which will take place in several hill regions including Pherzawl, Kanggui, and Tengnoupal. A complete shutdown is planned for the day of the rally.
The ITLF’s demand for separation from Manipur gained momentum ever since the violence started in the state in May 2023. However, the BJP government has categorically said that the territorial integrity of Manipur will remain intact. The Kuki body has urged the community to boycott the ADC polls.
In a related development, the Zo Reunification Organisation (Zoro), another Kuki-Zo body, is opposing the central government’s decision to abolish the Free Movement Region (FMR) and the fencing of the Myanmar border. Zoro, which is influenced by local churches and Christian leaders, advocates for a greater Christian administrative region that includes Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi tribes from Manipur, Mizoram, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
The Manipur Gazette of 1963, issued during the territory’s Part-C status under direct rule by the Union of India, provides a glimpse into a bygone era when the Kuki population was sparse and confined to specific pockets of land. In contrast, the present-day scenario has drastically changed, with Kuki settlements now spread across multiple districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, as well as areas like Jiribam, Tengnoupal, and the Sadar Hills Development Block. But there are no specifically designated Kuki areas in the state as per the official records.
Meanwhile, escalating tensions have led to violent incidents. On June 19, a mob in Kangpokpi district intercepted and torched an empty truck headed towards Dimapur. This followed the burning of a CRPF bus in Kangpokpi Town the previous day. Combined efforts by Kangpokpi Police, 22 Assam Rifles, and the CRPF successfully rescued passengers from another vehicle targeted by the mob.
The state has responded to the unrest with increased security measures, including thorough frisking and vehicle checks along National Highway 2. The violent incident on June 19 occurred when an empty truck, identified by its registration number NL01A E7895, was stopped and set on fire by a mob after discovering it was owned by a member of the Meitei community. Police intervention, including firing warning shots, managed to disperse the mob and extinguish the fire, though the perpetrators escaped under the cover of darkness.
As the situation evolves, the demand for a separate state for the Kuki tribes remains a significant and contentious issue in Manipur, highlighting the region’s complex socio-political landscape.
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