Kuki-Zo Body Holds Bishnupur DC Responsible for Violent Escalation; Stresses Early Political Solution

Expressing grave concern over the incident that occurred last night (16 Dec.) at Torbung buffer zone, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has held the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur district fully responsible for fresh tensions between the two warring communities.

Recalling the violence of 3 May 2023 that originated in Torbung, Churachandpur - an extremely sensitive area where both Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities once lived, the Kuki-Zo apex body stated that the area has witnessed the first killing of the conflict, when Pastor Sehkhohao Kipgen was brutally beaten to death in broad daylight. In the first two days alone, 45 Kuki-Zo lives were lost.

Against this backdrop, KZC said, the decision of the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur to flag off resettlement of Meitei IDPs in the Torbung buffer zone was deeply irresponsible and provocative, and a sensitive administration would have avoided resettlement in such a volatile area.

"Allowing Meitei IDPs to resettle in the buffer zone amounts to inviting renewed conflict," said Ginza Vualjong, KZC leader, in a press statement issued on Wednesday.

Previously, attempts were made by Meitei IDPs to breach the Torbung buffer zone during the Sangai Festival, which further pointed to a pattern of provocation. "The Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur must take responsibility and roll back the resettlement in this volatile area to avoid further escalation," he said.

The Kuki-Zo Council also said, "Equally troubling is the sequence of events preceding last night's incident. The visit by COCOMI leaders to Meitei IDPs at Torbung Mamang Leikai, followed by a public meeting organised by Arambai Tenggol and firing later that night, raises serious questions of intent and responsibility."

Reitering that the Kuki-Zo people had consistently exercised restraint and respected buffer-zone arrangements to prevent further bloodshed, the Council rejected any attempt to blame the Kuki-Zo for tensions arising from unilateral administrative actions and violations of buffer-zone protocols.

"Provocative actions by the Meiteis during the Christmas season reflect a calculated effort to disrupt the peaceful spirit of the Kuki-Zo people," it said.

Stressing that the Manipur crisis is not a law-and-order issue but a political one rooted in ethnic cleansing, KZC reaffirmed that peace will come only through a political solution.

"The Government of India must recognise the reality that the Kuki-Zo people have been effectively separated from Manipur and accord them a separate administrative arrangement that they rightfully deserve," it added.