A nationwide protest planned by the Kuki Zo Council on February 18 has been canceled after the Ministry of Home Affairs intervened. The protest, meant to push for a Union Territory with Legislature for the Kuki community, had garnered significant support across various Kuki-inhabited districts, including in Churachandpur and Delhi. The Council stated it agreed to the Home Ministry’s request in the interest of peace.
BY Navin Upadhyay
Under pressure from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Kuki Zo Council has decided to cancel its nationwide protest, originally scheduled for February 18. The withdrawal of some sub-tribes from the proposed protest also marred the pitch for the Kuki-Zo Council leadership.
Sources revealed that e Ministry of Home Affairs denied permission to hold the demonstration in Churachandpur and other Kuki strongholds in the valley.
“We have decided to cancel the protest following the Ministry of Home’s request,” Kim Haokip, spokesperson for the Kuki Inpi Delhi, told The Power Corridors. “We didn’t want to escalate the situation, so we agreed to withdraw the protest,” she added, emphasizing that the Kuki Zo Council remains committed to the long-term struggle for their rights. “This is a long battle, and we’re prepared to give the authorities time to find a solution,” Haokip said.
ALSO READ: Assam Govt Orders SIT Probe into MP Gaurav Gogoi’s Wife Over Alleged ISI Link
Incidentally, Chief Secretary of Manipur, Prashant Kumar Singh (PK Singh), reviewed the law and order situation in Churachandpur district after the arrest of seven Kuki National Army (KNA) cadres who were found in possession of weapons outside their designated camps. PK Singh’s visit marked his first tour of the state since it came under President’s Rule on February 13. During the visit, he met with security officials to assess ongoing challenges, particularly regarding underground groups’ activities affecting the general public.
Meanwhile, sources indicated that some sub-tribes withdrew from the protest due to concerns over Kuki supremacy. Groups like the Zomi and Thadou, who had initially supported the rally, announced their decision not to participate.
ALSO READ: In A Rare Humanitarian Gesture, Myanmar Frees 1,000 Rohingya Prisoners
The Kuki Zo Council had initially announced a “Peaceful Rally for Immediate Political Solution” across all Kuki-inhabited districts on February 18. The protest was meant to pressure the central government to address the long-standing demand for a separate administration, or Union Territory with Legislature, for the Kuki community. The rally was also planned for Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, organized by the Kuki Students’ Organization (KSO) Delhi and the Kuki-Zo Women’s Forum Delhi.
The rally’s key demands included:
- A formal discussion of the Kuki-Zo issue in Parliament
- The granting of a Separate Administration (Union Territory with Legislature)
- No peace without a solution
- No border fencing without a political solution
- Justice for the leaked ‘Biren Audio Tapes’
