The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex organization representing the Kuki-Zo tribal community in Manipur, on Wednesday expressed a warm welcome for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Imphal and Churachandpur district on September 13.
KZC Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet and General Secretary Thangzamang described the visit as a historic and rare occasion, noting that it comes almost four decades after a Prime Minister last visited the tribal region.
In a common statement, the KZC leaders underscored the great tribulations experienced by their people in the past. "Over 250 innocent lives have been lost; more than 360 churches and places of worship have been torched; more than 7,000 houses have been set on fire; and over 40,000 of our brethren still live as displaced persons in relief camps, away from their ancestral homes," they said.
The statement further stated that the Kuki-Zo community has been forcibly displaced because of the aggression and actions of the majority community in Manipur.
"In spite of such dismal situations, we still believe in the democratic mind and guidance of India. We have been expressing our insistence for full separation from Manipur since years in terms of an independent administration in the shape of a Union Territory with legislation under Article 239A of the Constitution of India," stated the KZC.
The supreme tribal forum explained that this call is not out of convenience but "from necessity, for peace, security, and survival of their people."
As the head of our great nation, we have every hope that the Prime Minister would accord appropriate attention to our voice, our suffering, and our aspirations. We hope against hopes that your leadership would heal our wounds, restore our dignity, and secure the future of the Kuki-Zo people," the KZC leaders said.
Simultaneously, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla met five Kuki-Zo MLAs on Tuesday to finalize the probable visit of the Prime Minister on September 13. A police officer confirmed that the meeting took place in Churachandpur, and discussions were held on the planned visit and arrangements that need to be made, but no civil or police officers revealed more information.
The five legislators belong to constituencies in Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts, which are both dominated by Kuki-Zo tribals.
Previously, on September 7, Governor Bhalla met BJP MLAs representing the Imphal Valley area, such as former Chief Minister N Biren Singh and BJP State President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi, along with senior state government officials.
Manipur BJP leaders and officials said the visit of PM Modi is not officially announced yet by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). But, according to recent media reports, he can visit Manipur on September 13, his first since the ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis in May 2023.
News also quotes that the Prime Minister is to also visit Aizawl in Mizoram to open the newly-built 51.38 km Bairabi-Sairang railway project, and from there proceed to Imphal and Churachandpur in Manipur.
Preparations are being made in the state capital, with a grand stage coming up at Kangla Fort and beautification activities being undertaken across Imphal West district.
Pre-empting the visit, the administration of Churachandpur district has banned the use of drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), balloons, and other aerial objects and made the whole district a 'No Drone Zone' on September 4.
Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Prime Minister would visit Assam on September 13-14 for the birth centenary celebrations of cultural icon and Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika, when he would formally inaugurate official celebrations in Guwahati.
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