After the March 8 violence in Manipur, a high-level team of Home Ministry led by Mr AK Mishra, will hold talks with representatives of Kuki-Zo council this evening at Chura Chandrapur to find ways to diffuse the situation.
This is first such interaction between Kuki-Zo leaders and the Centre after imposition of the president rule.
Sources said that Kuki-Zo council is going to make it clear to the MHA team that they will not allow unhindered movement of Meiteis through hill districts like Kangpokpi unless the Centre took steps to address their core demand to punish the perpetrators of the May 3, 2023 mayhem and considered creation of Union Territory for Kuki-Zo population.
Sources said that KZC agreed to lift the indefinite shutdown call to create a conducive atmosphere for talks.
Sources said that KZC will also press for disarming Meitei militia Arambai Tenggol. Kuki zo leaders have often accused Arambai Tenggol of looting maximum number of weapons from the police armory and using them against the tribal people.
KZC leaders may also seek clarification on a media report quoting home minister Amit Shah that government will not consider granting kuki zo council demand for Union Territory.
Earlier, in response to the extension of AFSPA in hill districts and its selective removal in the valley, the Kuki-Zo Council had called for uniform law enforcement across Manipur. The Council had also urged an extension of the arms surrender deadline, stating that proper facilitation requires more time.
The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) had expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to honor its commitment to visit Churachandpur and meet with KZC leadership within the promised 10–14 day timeframe.
Reaffirming its demand for a separate administration (SA) in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature under Article 239A, the KZC had pledged to pursue this goal relentlessly until it is achieved.
