In a decisive move, authorities directed the cancellation of the Meitei-led march, warning of serious security challenges. Kuki-Zo groups, who had strongly opposed the march, had vowed to resist any intrusion into tribal territories.
By Navin Upadhyay
Acting on security concerns and rising tensions, the Manipur administration has reportedly directed the Federation of Civil Society Organizations (FOCS) to call off its planned “March to the Hills.” Authorities have also issued a stern warning that any attempt to violate this directive will be met with strict action.
The decision comes amid escalating ethnic tensions in Manipur, with Kuki-Zo groups strongly opposing the march, calling it a provocation and a threat to their territories. Top officials from the Assam Rifles, reportedly advised the Manipur administration against allowing the march, citing serious security risks.
The march was originally scheduled for the same day ( March 8) the state was set to implement the Home Minister’s directive to resume free movement on the highways.
Sources said that the administration agreed with the perception of the security forces and decided to ask the Meitei groups to call of the “march.” The call for the march had triggered an immediate backlash from Kuki-Zo organizations, who viewed it as a direct provocation.
Sources said that the Assam Rifles’ intervention was necessitated by intelligence inputs indicating that the proposed “March to the Hills” could trigger massive clashes and derail ongoing efforts to normalize the situation in Manipur. Security agencies reportedly assessed the march as a high-risk event, with the potential to escalate violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
According to sources, the Inspector General of the Assam Rifles visited Lamka today, where he held discussions with representatives of the Zo Council and insurgent groups that have signed a Suspension of Operations agreement with the central government. During the meeting, he reportedly assured Kuki-Zo representatives that the Meitei groups had been advised to “call off’ their march. Additionally, he affirmed that security forces would take appropriate measures against any violation of the directive.
While there has been no official statement from any stakeholders, it is understood that the security forces have communicated to the Kuki-Zo leadership that the planned march has been called off.
Confirming the development, a senior Kuki-Zo council representative told PowerCorridors, “Peace is not an item on the menu card that can be ordered. The Meitei cannot ethnically cleanse us from Kangleipak, the valley, and then attempt to intrude into the hills at will. Peace will only come when security for the Kuki-Zo people is ensured through constitutional safeguards.”
Kuki-Zo Groups Issue Strong Warning
Earlier, the Kuki-Zo community had issued a stern warning against FOCS over its planned march and denounced the initiative as a provocation and an attempt to assert dominance over tribal territories.
FOCS, a coalition of Meitei organizations, had announced on Tuesday that it would carry out expeditions into hill areas, claiming it aimed to deliver “a message of peace.” Speaking to reporters, FOCS President Th. Manihar stated that the initiative was aligned with directives from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who recently called for unrestricted movement of all communities across Manipur.
“After much discussion, we have decided to visit buffer zones marked by security forces, as well as villages in hill areas that have been inaccessible to us since the violence erupted in May 2023,” Manihar said. He added that prayers would be conducted at each location for peace and the restoration of coexistence. The initiative, he claimed, had the support of 20 like-minded organizations.
However, Kuki-Zo groups responded with vehement opposition. In a strongly worded open letter, the Young Kuki group labeled the march as a “blatant display of Meitei fascism,” accusing FOCS of using the pretext of peace to intimidate the tribal population.
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“The hills are not Meitei land, and they never will be. The Kuki-Zo and Naga people lived here long before the Manipur state was imposed upon us,” the letter stated, warning that any attempt to proceed with the march would be met with “firm and unwavering resistance.”
Rising Security Concerns
The Kuki Alliance for Nampi Awakening Movement (KANAM) also issued a final warning to FOCS, stating:
“Step into Kuki territory at your own peril.”
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KANAM accused the Manipur state government of failing to protect Kuki-Zo communities, asserting that the state no longer governs their territories. Their statement further emphasized:
• There is no “free movement” for those responsible for violence against the Kuki-Zo people.
• Every Kuki man and woman is prepared to defend their land.
• The so-called expedition will not be met with flowers, but with fire.
The escalating tensions highlight the deepening ethnic divide in Manipur, where months of violence, forced displacements, and political strife have fueled distrust between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei
