The Kuki-Zo Council has convened an important meeting on July 29 (Tuesday) in Kangpokpi to discuss pressing issues including the Centre’s request for safe passage on National Highway-2.
These are part of renewed efforts on the part of the Union Home Ministry to ensure peace on highways and ensure overall social harmony and stability in violence-hit Manipur.
The meeting will be held Kangpokpi and will try to engage tribal leaders, civil society organisations (CSOs), intellectuals, and political figures in an open dialogue over the Centre’s push for unhindered movement on the National Highway-2.
Kuki-stronghold Churachandpur
It is argued that the opening of the National Highway-2 will go a long way to boost the morale of the locals and the Govt of India also believed that this will in the ultimate help restore peace and normalcy in the state and also "work out a long term political solution" vis-a-vis the Kukis and Meties.
The Centre has also "informally urged" the Kuki-Zo CSOs to help ensure safe passage along National Highway-2 (NH-2) because this a vital lifeline linking Imphal to the northern hill districts, including Kangpokpi.
While commercial vehicles and commercial transports with Nagas and others passengers including Nepalis have begun cautiously resuming use of the highway, psychological barriers persist on the movement of Meities and Kukis due to safety concerns.
The Kuki Zomi Council leadership has not opposed or rejected the Centre’s appeal outright giving hopes among the optimists.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) also held a meeting on similar matters on July 23, source said adding, several paerticipants indicated they were open to endorsing passage for commercial vehicles and public transport.
But as the complexities of north east in general and Manipur in particular still prevail; the mandarins in Delhi are aware that there is a view that any kind of 'major compromise' could be misconstrued as political compliance at a time when the Kuki-Zo community is sticking to its demand for a separate administration for Kukis.
One refrain that is making way in the public space is that -- "... Let’s give peace a chance. At least we won’t be blamed for obstructing it".
The July 29 Kuki-Zo Council public meeting is also likely to take up internal unity among various Kuki-Zo stakeholders.
Tribal Christians, including Nagas and Kukis, form around 41 percent of Manipur’s 3.6 million people. They primarily inhabit the hill districts.
The Meities make up some 53 percent of the population and reside in the Imphal Valley.
Moreover following Covid and violence in Myanmar following 2021 coup; there are about 6,500 refugees from Myanmar taking shelter in the state.
The Modi government is well aware that violence and instability in Manipur can harm its long-term strategic interests and also disturb the Act East policy.
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