A Meitei group, Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), has announced that it will hold a 'peace march' from the Meitei-stronghold Imphal to Senapati on March 8.
This also follows Home Minister Amit Shah's call for free movement in Manipur that witnessed fierce and unprecedented ethnic violence between Kukis and Meiteis in 2023.
FOCS President Th Manihar said the march is not directed against the Kuki community.
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| Meitei civil group calls for 'peace march' to the hill districts |
"We are not going to attack or fight the Kuki community. We are going for peace and prosperity in Manipur," he said.
Three Kuki groups have objected to the rally, calling for separate administration. Despite their opposition, FOCS has decided to proceed with the march and has urged Kuki groups to support it.
"Three Kuki organisations have objected to our proposed march. We appeal to them to join us in this effort for peace. The march is also a way to see if the Centre stands by its commitment to allowing free movement," Manihar told the Press Trust of India.
Manihar said the Home Minister recently held a meeting with senior security officials in New Delhi. He said four key decisions were made regarding Manipur, including ensuring free movement on all roads.
Larger tribal groups, including the Committee on Tribal Unity, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum, and the Hill Council, have not opposed the rally.
FOCS also plans to extend the march to other parts of the state. Dates for those events have not been decided.
A prominent Paite (falling under Kuki-Zo family) group has objected to the peace march.
In a statement under the title 'A GRAND WELCOME TO YOU', the Paite Tuailal Pawl in a statement from Lamka said - "Step into Lamka, Zogam at your own risk and peril".
It further said - "...we will greet you-with garlands of detonating fuse-cord and an iron fist. FOCS will be held responsible for any unwanted eventuality".
The statement said Lamka was free before India's independence in 1947.
"Our forefathers bled for this land. We, the Zosuan (Hmar-Zomi-Kuki-Mizo), will defend it at any cost. Anyone who dares challenge us will face relentless resistance.
We do not need the Meitei, nor do they need us. For over two years, we have lived apart, proving we can survive without each other. Come as a good neighbor, or don't come at all. Otherwise, we will meet you in the buffer zone-with vengeance, singbong and suangtum."
The statement also lamented: "You burned our churches, butchered and killed our people, raped our women, vandalised, looted and turned our homes to ashes.
If you believe we have forgotten, step into Lamka and witness our fury."
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