Kuki Zo Council has stated that the incident on Friday evening near Torbung- Kangvai buffer zone again highlights a stark reality that Manipur cannot return to normalcy when one community breaks peace and the other is forced to live in constant defensive vigilance.
The incident is part of a recurring pattern in which certain Meitei groups resort to provocation and intimidation, even as the Kuki-Zo community continues to uphold restraint and peaceful conduct says KZC in a release issued on Saturday.
The council stated that the Kuki-Zo community expresses grave concern over the fresh escalation near the Torbung-Kangvai Buffer Zone on friday evening, where Meitei IDPs protesting the Sangai Festival attempted to forcefully move toward Churachandpur.
Their coordinated push onto the highway-despite clear restrictions-prompted Central Forces to use teargas and smoke shells to prevent a dangerous breach of the buffer line, stated the release
KZC stated that "For over two and half years, the Kuki-Zo people have protected their boundaries and preserved peace on their side while facing repeated destabilizing attempts from the valley"
It is increasingly evident that coexistence under a single administrative structure is no longer viable and as such the Kuki-Zo community reaffirms its commitment to peace and lawful conduct.
While condemning all attempts to provoke conflict, KZC call upon the Government of India to provide constitutional protection through the creation of a Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo people.
A Union Territory with appropriate safeguards is no longer a political aspiration-it has become an essential security requirement, stated the release.
"Only constitutional separation can guarantee lasting peace, stability, and protection for our people, who have endured displacement, violence, and targeted aggression" KZC stated.
The council further urges the Centre to act decisively to protect lives and prevent Manipur from sliding back into conflict
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
