UNC's demands to Manipur Government for lifting blockade are unrealistic and irrelevant says Kuki Zo Council

Kuki Zo Council on Tuesday stated that the United Naga Council's demands reportedly submitted to the Manipur Government on Monday for lifting the blockade are unrealistic and irrelevant.

KZC asks the government as to why is special attention being given to six Nagas of Manipur, while the killing of 15 Kuki-Zo people, including three pastors, allegedly by Naga militants, receives neither equal attention nor justice.

KZC questions to the government as to  why is the United Naga Council (UNC) being allowed to continue its blockade and subject the Kuki-Zo people to prolonged suffering and deprivation.

Kuki Zo Council also asked  why have those responsible for the blockade not been arrested.

In a release issued on Tuesday, KZC strongly condemns what it called the continued violence, harassment, discrimination, and denial of justice against the Kuki-Zo people in Manipur. 

The council stated that recent incidents expose a disturbing pattern of unequal treatment, with the Central and State Governments appearing to give preferential attention to the Naga community while ignoring the legitimate grievances and suffering of the Kuki-Zo people.

"21 innocent villagers from the Leilon Vaiphei area have been summoned by the NIA to appear at the Leimakhong Army Camp. Kailenjang Village in Kangpokpi was attacked yesterday, with houses reportedly burnt by suspected NSCN-IM cadres. A civil society leaders of the Leimakhong Area Protection Committee (LAPC), with no involvement in any crime, remains detained in Churachandpur Prison" says KZC.

Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) has been allowed to continue its blockade for over two months, deliberately choking the supply of essential goods to Kuki-Zo areas, particularly Kangpokpi.

 Such prolonged deprivation is inhumane, constitutes a grave violation of fundamental rights, and poses a serious humanitarian threat that the government can no longer afford to ignore, the release stated.

KZC also demands equal protection under the law, the immediate release of innocent detainees, impartial investigations into the killings of 15 Kuki-Zo people, accountability for attacks. on Kuki-Zo villages, and the immediate lifting of the blockade.

" Justice cannot be selective. Kuki-Zo lives matter" the release added.