Amid tensions, grief and pain following the attack on N. Teikhang Kuki-Zo village in the Twilang region, thousands of Kuki-Zo people took to the streets in Kangpokpi district on Monday, protesting what they described as a growing “Kacha Naga Tangkhul and Liangmei supremacist ideology” in the hill regions and demanding the immediate restoration of unhindered access to essential supplies and medical services.
The protest, organised by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), was held under the banner “Equality for All, No to Supremacy, Kangpokpi Stands for Peace”, with protesters marching from Nute Kailhang in downtown Kangpokpi to the office of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen in uptown Kangpokpi via NH-2.
The rally came against the backdrop of what the organisers alleged was the prolonged obstruction of essential commodities, including food, other necessities and medical supplies, to Kuki-Zo habitations in Chawangkining, Thonglang and Makui along the IT Road and Taphou Naga along NH-2 since May 13.
The protesters accused the authorities of failing to adequately address the hardships faced by residents of the affected areas and demanded immediate intervention to restore the free movement of essential supplies and ensure access to healthcare and security.
A total shutdown was observed across Kangpokpi district during the protest, with business establishments and private and government institutions remaining closed and vehicular movement on NH-2 brought to a halt from both ends. The shutdown was lifted after the protest concluded.
The protesters raised slogans such as “Open IT Road”, “NSCN-IM Is Responsible for Hills Conflict” and “Stop Selective Security Operations Against Kuki-Zo Civilians”, among others, while several other demands were displayed on pamphlets.
Addressing the media, CoTU spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen said the government must take immediate measures to restore what the organisation described as “civility and the rule of law” in the hill areas of Kangpokpi and its vicinity.
He said it had been nearly 110 days since May 13 and alleged that the economic blockade and the safety of the Kuki-Zo community had been affected by what he described as a section of the Naga community.
“If the government wants and is sincere enough to resolve this issue, I think the first step is to open the unconstitutional blockade being carried out by a section of the Liangmei Naga community and deploy Central Security Forces in the fringe areas bordering the warring communities,” he said.
He also described it as unfortunate that the Liangmei Naga community had allegedly been “played” by members of its own community, and said it was high time they shunned the path of violence and restored normalcy in the region to enable the communities to coexist as peaceful neighbours.
In a direct message to the Government of India, Kipgen alleged that the current crisis was an attempt by certain politically vested interests to “belittle or topple” the present popular government in Manipur led by Y. Khemchand Singh. He urged the government to take immediate and effective measures to restore normalcy in the state.
The committee submitted a memorandum to Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, seeking government intervention to address the grievances and ensure long-term peace and stability, civilian security and uninterrupted access to essential services in the affected areas.
The committee demanded the immediate removal of checkpoints/checkposts at Thonglang and Chawangkining along the IT Road and at Taphou Naga on NH-2, alleging that their presence was obstructing the movement of essential supplies to Kuki-Zo habitations.
It also demanded guaranteed safe passage for ambulances and medical personnel, including doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers travelling to Kuki-Zo habitations and T. Waichong Primary Health Centre from Kangpokpi.
CoTU further called for the immediate deployment of Central Security Forces at Chalwa, S. Songpibung, Thenjang and other fringe areas bordering Kuki-Zo and Kacha Naga communities, citing security concerns in the region.
The committee also sought immediate steps to ensure that Chalwa, Leimakhong and Kangchup police stations function as full-fledged police stations.
Another key demand was the immediate rectification of what CoTU described as “overlapping police jurisdiction” over Taphou Kuki, which it said falls within Kangpokpi revenue district.
CoTU alleged that the extension of Senapati Police jurisdiction into the Kangpokpi revenue area had “severe ramifications” for the security of the Kuki population, particularly residents of Taphou Kuki and Hengbung villages.
The protest comes amid continuing tensions in the hill areas of Kangpokpi, with CoTU asserting that “equality for all” and rejection of any form of supremacy are essential for restoring peace and coexistence in the district.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
