Manipur Governor Urges Kuki Leaders to Collaborate with Administration for Peace

PTI, Churachandpur/Imphal, January 7, 2024 – Manipur's new Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, on Tuesday visited the Churachandpur district, a region predominantly inhabited by the Kuki community, and urged local leaders to work together with the administration in efforts to restore peace. Bhalla, the former Union Home Secretary, arrived in the district around 9:40 am, where he inaugurated an IT centre at Churachandpur College and engaged with students.

During his visit, Bhalla listened to the grievances of students, who spoke about the difficulties they were facing due to the ongoing crisis in the state. Expressing his concern, Bhalla emphasized that students are the future of the country, and he did not want them to suffer any further. He assured them that the government was committed to bringing normalcy back to the region.

Following his visit to the college, Bhalla went to the Deputy Commissioner's office, where he held discussions with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), including the Kuki Zo Council and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF).

A statement issued by the Raj Bhavan in Imphal stated that the Governor appealed to the CSO leaders to collaborate with the administration in the peacebuilding efforts.

The Kuki Zo Council, which is the apex body representing the Kuki community, submitted a memorandum to Bhalla, highlighting the need to preserve the sanctity of the "Buffer Zones," seek re-demarcation of district police jurisdictions, and deploy "neutral central security forces."

The memorandum further noted that the Governor insisted that "peace must come first" and that a "solution" would follow afterward. The Council strongly advocated for expediting political talks with the Suspension of Operations (SoO) group and called for the creation of a separate administration or Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo people under Article 239(A) of the Indian Constitution to ensure lasting peace.

In response, the Governor assured that the central government would maintain neutrality in enforcing law and order. The Kuki Zo Council pledged to cooperate, stating that law and order could only be maintained if the sanctity of the Buffer Zones was respected.

In addition to this, the Zomi Students' Federation also submitted a memorandum addressing issues faced by students, the challenges surrounding Churachandpur Medical College, and the need for a central government office in the district.

Later, Bhalla visited the Sadhbhavna Mandap relief camp in Tuibong, where he interacted with displaced individuals and distributed relief materials. On his return journey to Imphal, he also visited the Chingnu Thangjing Guest House relief camp in Moirang, Bishnupur district, where he met Meitei community members taking shelter there and provided them with relief aid.

Since ethnic violence erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities in May 2023, over 250 people have been killed, and thousands have been displaced. The ongoing violence has left many in dire need of support, and Bhalla's visit comes as part of efforts to mediate and encourage dialogue between the warring communities.