© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
A team from the Ministry of Home Affairs led by its North East Advisor AK Mishra met with both Kuki-Zo and Meitei groups in Manipur over the course of the last two days amid continuing tensions over the question of free movement of vehicles on the state’s highways.
There has been an “indefinite shutdown” in Kuki-Zo areas in Manipur since Saturday after one youth died and many others were injured after protestors clashed with security forces in Kangpokpi district while trying to prevent the movement of a bus from the Meitei majority valley through the Kuki-Zo majority district, on the first day that the government attempted to implement “free movement” through the highways. The groups have opposed the enforcement of this move until their political demand for separate administration is addressed.
The MHA team met Kuki-Zo groups in Churachandpur district Tuesday but the impasse over free movement and the blockade of highways in Kuki-Zo areas continued even after it. According to a leader from one of the groups, the meeting was held at the DC office and was attended by members of different Kuki-Zo groups including Kangpokpi based Committee on Tribal Unity, Churachandpur based Kuki Zo Council, and Pherzawl and Jiribam-based Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee.
“The topics were mainly on the recent Kangpokpi issue, Free Movement, Separate Administration UT, cessation of hostilities and various district specific issues. Our leaders stood firm on our stands and so were the representatives from MHA. So, no concrete decisions could be taken as a result. The meeting was adjourned for further discussion in the future,” said the leader.
On Wednesday morning, the MHA representatives also met members of Meitei groups such as Federation of Civil Societies (FOCS), All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO), Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in Imphal.
“During the meeting, we submitted a memorandum with five demands. For free movement along all highways, the rehabilitation of internally displaced people, stopping violence on civilians and to ascertain the true demographic of Manipur,” said FOCS leader B.M. Yaima Shah.
Manipur will complete a month under President’s Rule, imposed on February 13 following N. Biren Singh’s resignation as Chief Minister, Thursday.
