Education disrupted, healthcare collapsing, and security concerns mounting—The Kuki-Zo community demands urgent government action to restore stability and dignity.
BY PC Bureau
The Kuki-Zo Council has called on the Governor of Manipur to take immediate action in addressing the dire humanitarian crisis faced by their community in the wake of the ongoing ethnic conflict. In a memorandum submitted during a high-level meeting in Kangpokpi, the Council outlined the severe displacement, destruction, and systemic neglect that have left the Kuki-Zo people struggling for survival.
A Community in Distress
The memorandum paints a grim picture of the current situation, highlighting large-scale displacement, the burning of homes and churches, and an urgent need for relief. As law-abiding citizens of India, the Kuki-Zo community has urged the state administration to implement swift measures to alleviate their suffering and ensure their safety.
One of the most pressing concerns is the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The Council has called for the immediate provision of relief supplies to all displaced individuals, whether residing in camps, rented accommodations, or under the care of churches. Additionally, they demand that IDPs be eligible for government subsidies irrespective of their temporary place of residence, including those who have relocated to states like Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam, and Delhi.
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Security and Governance Issues
Security concerns also remain paramount, with the Council urging a realignment of police jurisdiction to align with existing tribal land rights. They have demanded that Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) be placed under the direct command of the Indian Army to ensure impartial law enforcement and prevent further violence.
⚡️#Manipur Breaking News ⚡️
In response to Manipur Guv’s order to the Hills and the Valley, the people of #Zomi and #Kuki surrender a huge cache of weapons.
Valley Meitei should do the same. pic.twitter.com/dbHagixsNK
— 𝓝𝓱 𝓒𝓲𝓷𝓰 (@NhCing) February 22, 2025
Challenges in Education and Infrastructure
The Kuki-Zo Council has strongly condemned the state government’s interference in CBSE school affiliations, warning that it threatens to derail the education of thousands of students. They demand an immediate restoration of these affiliations to ensure academic continuity.
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Additionally, the Council emphasized the need for urgent restoration of key highways and local roads that have remained impassable since May 2023. They called for priority construction of roads linking Kangpokpi, Moreh, Churachandpur, Pallel, and Saikul to stabilize economic activity in the region.
Healthcare and Institutional Support
The memorandum further highlights the collapse of healthcare services, calling for the strengthening of medical facilities in Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal with essential diagnostic equipment such as CT scanners, MRI machines, and X-ray units. The disruption of Ayushman Bharat health benefits due to the state’s failure to clear dues has left countless families without access to crucial medical care.
Another key demand includes the establishment of branches of central institutions like Manipur University in the hill districts, ensuring equal access to higher education and employment opportunities.
District-Specific Concerns
In Chandel district, where over 152 Kuki-Zo homes have been burned down, the Council has demanded immediate construction of prefabricated homes for displaced families and the appointment of a neutral Deputy Commissioner to ensure fair governance. The community has also called for an accessible bridge over the Imphal River at K. Molnom to restore connectivity.
In Churachandpur, the Council has pushed for the immediate repair of local roads and the expedited completion of the Churachandpur Medical College, which has remained non-functional since May 2023. They have also called for the establishment of additional sub-stations to improve electricity supply and the introduction of helicopter services under the Udan scheme to enhance connectivity between Moreh, Churachandpur, and Guwahati.
The memorandum serves as a powerful plea for justice, urging both state and central governments to act decisively in addressing the ongoing crisis. The Kuki-Zo Council has made it clear that without immediate intervention, the suffering of their people will only intensify.
With tensions remaining high, all eyes are now on the Governor’s office and the state administration to deliver a response that can restore peace, security, and dignity to the Kuki-Zo community.
