Thousands of Kuki-Zo people in Churachandpur district of Manipur on Thursday took out a rally, pressing their demand for a separate administration in light of the ongoing ethnic conflict in the State. The rally was organised by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum and other Kuki-Zo groups. People raise slogans for separating from Manipur, and denouncing the Biren Singh government along with radical Meitei groups such as Arambai Tenggol and Meetei Leepun. The protest saw several ITLF leaders speak about the need for “total separation” from Manipur to safeguard Kuki-Zo people from the ongoing violence in the State.
Manipur conflict
The Manipur conflict is an ongoing ethnic conflict in the Indian state of Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribes. The conflict has been going on for decades, and it has caused widespread violence and displacement.
The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the merger of Manipur with India in 1949. The Meitei, who are the majority ethnic group in Manipur, have long felt that they have been marginalized by the Indian government. The Kuki-Zo tribes, on the other hand, have felt that they have not been given enough representation in the government.
The conflict has been exacerbated by a number of factors, including:
- Competition for land and resources.
- Political and economic marginalization of the Kuki-Zo tribes.
- The rise of armed groups on both sides of the conflict.
The conflict has had a devastating impact on the people of Manipur. Thousands of people have been killed, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. The conflict has also damaged the economy and infrastructure of the state.
There have been a number of attempts to resolve the conflict, but they have all failed. The most recent attempt was a peace agreement that was signed in 2015. However, the agreement has not been implemented, and the conflict continues.
The Manipur conflict is a complex and intractable conflict. There is no easy solution, and it is likely to continue for many years to come. However, it is important to continue to work towards a peaceful resolution, as the conflict is causing immense suffering to the people of Manipur.
Here are some of the organizations that are working to resolve the Manipur conflict:
- The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS)
- The Manipur Peace Forum (MPF)
- The North East India Peace Forum (NEIPF)
- The International People’s Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in Manipur
These organizations are working to promote dialogue and understanding between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribes. They are also working to address the root causes of the conflict, such as land rights and political marginalization.
The Manipur conflict is a complex and challenging issue. However, it is important to continue to work towards a peaceful resolution, as the conflict is causing immense suffering to the people of Manipur.