No Flowers, Only Fire” – Kuki-Zo groups have issued a final warning against the Meitei-backed peace march, labeling it “fascist provocation.” As March 8 approaches, the region braces for potential unrest. Will the government intervene?
BY PC Bureau
Tensions in Manipur are reaching a boiling point as the Kuki-Zo community has issued a strong warning against the Federation of Civil Society Organizations (FOCS), a Meitei-led group, over its planned “March to the Hills” on March 8. Kuki-Zo groups have condemned the initiative as a direct provocation and an attempt to assert dominance over tribal territories.
FOCS, a coalition of Meitei organizations, announced on Tuesday that it would launch expeditions on March 8, carrying what it calls “a message of peace” to hill areas. Speaking to reporters, FOCS President Th. Manihar stated that the initiative follows 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 launch expeditions to buffer zones marked by security forces, as well as villages in hill areas where we (Meiteis) have not been able to visit since the violence erupted in May 2023,” Manihar said. He added that prayers would be conducted at each destination for peace and a return to pre-conflict coexistence. The initiative, he claimed, is backed by 20 like-minded organizations.
However, Kuki-Zo groups have responded with vehement opposition. In a strongly worded open letter, The Young Kuki group denounced the march as a “blatant display of Meitei fascism,” accusing FOCS of using the pretext of peace to intimidate the tribal population. The letter reaffirmed that the hill areas belong to the Kuki-Zo and Naga people, citing Article 371C of the Indian Constitution, which provides special protections for tribal lands against encroachment by the valley-based Meitei administration.
“This is not a negotiation. 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.”
In a separate statement, the Kuki Alliance for Nampi Awakening Movement (KANAM) echoed these sentiments, issuing a final warning to FOCS and its backers:
“Step into Kuki territory at your own peril,” the statement reads, emphasizing that the Kuki-Zo people will not tolerate any intrusion under the guise of a peace march.
KANAM further accused the Manipur state government of failing to protect Kuki-Zo communities and declared that the state no longer governs Kuki territories. The group asserted:
- There is no “free movement” for those responsible for the 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.
Mounting Security Concerns
The escalating tensions reflect the deepening ethnic divide in Manipur, where months of violence, forced displacements, and political strife have fueled distrust between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the Meitei community. Kuki-Zo leaders have accused Meitei nationalist groups of orchestrating attacks against tribal villages, leading to widespread displacement and destruction.
With the March 8 march approaching, security concerns are mounting. The warnings from Kuki-Zo groups suggest that any attempt by FOCS to proceed could result in serious clashes. As of now, the Manipur government, central authorities, and security forces have yet to formally respond to the rising tensions.
