The PM’s visit brings national visibility to long-ignored grievances, offering a chance for meaningful dialogue and political recognition in Churachandpur.
By Dr.Chinkholal Thangsing
September 13 2025: “A people long wounded do not seek pity but the promise of justice, dignity, and the chance to flourish on their ancestral land. Our cry is not of despair, but of hope — that truth will be seen, voices will be heard, and a just future will be secured for generations to come.”
After nearly three years of relentless mayhem, ethnic strife, and immeasurable human suffering, the Prime Minister’s visit to Lamka, Churachandpur, is nothing short of historic. In this period of turmoil, the Kuki-Zo people have endured unimaginable loss — maimed, killed, displaced, and burnt out of homes in the valley and in villages. Families have been torn apart, livelihoods destroyed, and entire communities uprooted.
READ: Kuki students ban Entry of Meiteis, Announce Curfew for PM visit
Yet, in the face of such devastation, our people have shown extraordinary resilience. We have returned to our ancestral lands. We are rebuilding our lives, reviving our villages, and nurturing hope once again. This survival is not passive; it is active, determined, and rooted in the unbreakable spirit of a people who refuse to be erased.
Why the Visit Matters
The Prime Minister’s presence in Lamka carries profound significance. It is more than a political event; it is a recognition of our suffering, a validation of our survival, and an acknowledgment that the Kuki-Zo story is integral to the Indian story. For the first time in years, the highest office in the land has set foot in the heart of our struggle.
The significance of the Prime Minister’s visit is threefold:
1. Recognition of Pain – However delayed, this visit affirms that the wounds, trauma, and sacrifices of the Kuki-Zo people cannot be brushed aside or forgotten. It is a solemn acknowledgment that our suffering is real, our voices matter, and our cries for justice must be heard.
2. Visibility at the National Level – For too long, the Kuki Zo’s plight has echoed only in the hills and valleys of our homeland. This visit brings our struggle to the heart of India’s conscience, ensuring that the nation and its leadership cannot turn away. It lifts our narrative from the margins into the national spotlight, demanding accountability and empathy.
3. Validation of Struggle – Beyond recognition and visibility, this visit is a quiet yet powerful admission that our resilience, endurance, and unyielding determination are not in vain. It validates that the long march of the Kuki-Zo people is not separate from, but integral to, India’s democratic journey toward justice, equality, and inclusive nationhood.
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For years, Manipur has lived through pain and silence.
But on Sept 13, a first step towards healing—PM Modi will visit both Imphal and Churachandpur.The first PM to set foot in CCPur.
The first real attempt to speak to valley & hills together.#Manipur @PMOIndia @ShivAroor pic.twitter.com/geSxJANDk6— Trinetra Insights (@TrinetraInsight) September 11, 2025
What the Visit Implies
The implications of this visit go far beyond ceremony and symbolism:
• A Call for Justice – The Prime Minister’s presence strengthens and legitimizes our long-standing demand for a Union Territory with legislature — the only framework capable of ensuring peace, security, and meaningful self-governance in the hills. Without such a political arrangement, our people remain vulnerable, and the cycle of conflict and neglect will persist.
• A Test of Sincerity – This visit cannot be allowed to fade into memory as a mere gesture. Its true meaning lies in what follows — whether the Government of India will translate acknowledgment into action, hear the cry of the Kuki-Zo people, and respond with justice, fairness, and political will.
• A Turning Point for Unity – This historic moment calls upon us, as a people, to rise above despair and division. It is an opportunity to speak with one voice, rooted in dignity and courage, and to reaffirm our unity as the cornerstone of our survival and progress.
• A Path to Contribution – When justice and dignity are secured, the Kuki-Zo people will not only heal and rebuild but also contribute fully as loyal, productive, and forward-looking citizens. Our resilience, creativity, and determination can strengthen both our community and the Indian Union, turning suffering into renewal and adversity into nation-building.
Carrying the Visit Forward
The landmark visit of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India — leader of a global superpower — to our Kuki-Zo hills must not remain a gesture of symbolism. It should ignite the beginning of a new chapter for our people and our land. To carry this moment forward, we must:
• Consolidate Our Voice – Speak with unity, clarity, and determination in advancing our rightful demand for a Union Territory with legislature, the only framework that guarantees peace, security, and dignity for our people.
• Strengthen Our Resilience – Continue rebuilding our homes, institutions, and community life to demonstrate our readiness for self-governance and our ability to stand strong despite past devastation.
• Engage with Delhi – Approach the Government of India with sincerity and resolve, presenting not only our grievances but also constructive and realistic pathways toward peace, stability, and development.
• Build for the Future – Channel our collective energy into education, economic progress, and social harmony. Our aspiration is not separation but dignity within the Indian Union — to live as proud citizens who contribute to the strength and prosperity of the nation.
A Call Beyond Lament
The world must understand: our grievances are not rooted in bitterness but in truth, survival, and justice. We do not ask for pity, nor do we seek handouts. What we demand is dignity — the dignity to live as equals, to govern ourselves, and to secure a future of peace and prosperity for our children.
Now is not the time for endless lamentation. It is the time to wipe away our tears, to summon courage, and to act with resolve. We must seize this opportunity with unity of purpose, clarity of vision, and strength of spirit.
History will remember this visit. It will either be recorded as a fleeting courtesy or as the beginning of lasting change. That choice lies not only with New Delhi but also with us — in how firmly and faithfully we pursue what is just and right.
“We, the Kuki-Zo people, though scarred by years of strife, loss, and displacement, remain unbroken in spirit. From the ashes of our pain we will rise — not as victims, but as a people of resilience, faith, and unity. With courage and dignity, we shall rebuild our land, nurture our children with hope, and stand tall as contributors to the strength and prosperity of our nation. Our future is not one of despair but of renewal, growth, and unshakable determination.”
The Author – Dr. Chinkholal Thangsing is a Physician, Politician & Philanthropist- He is
President, ZoRO Northern Zone, Vice President, Kuki Peoples Alliance, President, Lamka – City of Hope.
