Imphal, Jan 14: More than a thousand people from the Kuki-Zo community staged a massive public rally at Peace Ground in Manipur on Wednesday, demanding the early resolution of their long-pending political aspirations.
The rally was organised jointly by the Kuki Zo Council (KZC) and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF). Protesters first gathered at three locations—Rengkai Community Hall, Koite Playground, and Sielmat Playground—before marching in a procession to Peace Ground, where a public meeting was later held under the banner of the ITLF.
Carrying placards and banners, demonstrators raised slogans and demands such as “We Demand UT with Legislature,” “Expedite Our Political Solution,” “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied,” and “We Demand Separate Administration.”
Several banners also reflected the deep mistrust and grievances stemming from the ongoing ethnic conflict.
As the procession moved towards Peace Ground, participants chanted slogans calling for a separate administration and the creation of a Union Territory.
The public meeting was addressed by Henlienthang Thanglet, Chairman of the Kuki Zo Council, along with leaders from philanthropic organisations and student bodies.
Speaking to the media, Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson of both the ITLF and KZC, who also coordinated the rally, said the protest was aimed at pressing the Government of India to expedite a political solution for the Kuki-Zo people.
“After nearly three years of conflict, the Kuki-Zo people have been driven out from majority areas. Around 40,000 people have been displaced, yet no concrete political solution has emerged despite repeated protests,” Vualzong said.
He added that the community has become “physically and demographically separated” from the majority population, prompting them to formally demand the creation of a Union Territory with a legislature under Article 239(A) of the Indian Constitution.
“The Government of India has initiated talks, but for some time now there has been no visible progress towards resolving the issue,” he said.
