Kuki-Zo Council urges GoI to initiate NIA investigation into the brutal killing of three church leaders

The Kuki-Zo Council has urged the government of India to initiate  an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the brutal killing of the three church leaders at the earliest possible time, so that justice may be delivered and confidence restored among the affected communities.

KZC also requested the Government of India to take immediate and necessary steps to secure the safe rescue of those who are still being held captive. Reiterating its demand, KZC also urged the government to grant Union Territory status with Legislature to the Kuki-Zo people in order to ensure lasting peace, stability, justice, and security in the region.

Kuki Zo Council submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister on Monday and urged urgent Intervention for the protection, security, and political future of the Kuki-Zo Community in Manipur.

Expressing hope that the Government of India will take urgent and compassionate steps to address the plight of the Kuki-Zo people, KZC stated that the prevailing situation in Manipur continues to deteriorate alarmingly, threatening not only the lives and properties of innocent civilians but also the fragile peace and stability of the entire region. 

Seeking immediate intervention of the Prime Minister in the deterioration of law and order situation in Manipur KZC stated that the state of Manipur continues to witness a serious deterioration in law and order, marked by repeated incidents of violence, bombings, killings, arson, and targeted attacks against Kuki-Zo villages, particularly in areas such as Ukhrul district. 

Recalling the recent incident wherein three senior church leaders of the Kuki-Zo community were brutally murdered in an ambush allegedly carried out by the NSCN-IM proxy ZUF-Kamson group, KZC stated that such heinous incident has further escalated tensions between the Naga and KukiZo communities, leading to hostage-like situations and raising serious fears of a large-scale communal conflict if urgent intervention is not undertaken.

Due to the ongoing tensions with both the Meitei and Naga communities, the Kuki-Zo people, especially those residing in Kangpokpi district, are facing extreme restrictions on movement and that many civilians are unable to travel safely outside their areas, even during medical emergencies and other urgent situations.

In light of such hardships, KZC requested the Prime Minister to kindly arrange dedicated helicopter services for  Churachandpur – Kangpokpim  Kangpokpi – Silchar,  Churachandpur – Moreh while informing that such connectivity would provide much-needed humanitarian relief and ensure access to healthcare, essential travel, and emergency evacuation. 

Stating that the Kuki-Zo population in Kangpokpi district is currently facing severe shortages of essential commodities due to disruptions in transportation and supply routesm the council also requested the Government of India to ensure the uninterrupted movement of essential goods and supplies to Kuki-Zo areas, particularly through the Silchar route, with adequate security arrangements to guarantee safe passage and prevent humanitarian distress. 

KZC also requested the Government of India to deploy adequate central security forces along sensitive boundary areas and buffer zones between the Kuki Zo and naga communities in order to prevent escalation of violence and maintain peace.   

KZC aslo stated that examination centres for major examinations such as SSC and other competitive examinations be relocated or established in safer locations within Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts due to the prevailing security situation.

KZC stated that Kuki-Zo students and candidates are unable to safely travel to examination centres located in Meitei or Naga dominated areas. As a result, many deserving candidates are at risk of losing educational and employment opportunities during the conflict.

The kuki zo body further stated that the continuing conflict in Manipur has deeply fractured relations among the Meitei, Naga, and Kuki-Zo communities and that peaceful coexistence under the present administrative arrangement has become increasingly difficult. 

KZC express its view that lasting and peaceful solution to the Manipur crisis lies in the creation of separate administrative arrangements for the the Meitei, the Naga, and the Kuki-Zo.

Stating that the Kuki-Zo community faces existential threats from multiple sides, KZC stated that  separation from the present administrative structure has become an unavoidable necessity for our survival, security, and protection of the Kuki Zo people.