‘Manipur crisis is political, not a security issue’: Kuki-Zo women’s body demands President’s Rule

The Kuki-Zo Women's Forum on Wednesday said the crisis in Manipur is a political issue that cannot be resolved merely by deploying more security forces and demanded the reimposition of President's Rule in the state.

The group asserted that its demand for a separate administration was imperative for its survival. “Our political demand is not merely a political demand. It is a question of our survival. We want to survive,” Kuki-Zo Council spokesperson Ginza Vualzong said at a press conference.

The forum also demanded an investigation into alleged attacks attributed to NSCN-IM and a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature.

"The situation in Manipur is not a security issue. The government of India is trying to solve it, thinking that it is a security issue by sending lots and lots of security forces in Manipur. For three years, nothing works because it is a political issue," Ginza said, urging the Centre to expedite a political dialogue.

The speaker said Kuki-Zo civilians felt safer under President's Rule and claimed that 32 members of the community had been killed since the formation of the new government in Manipur.

"During the President's Rule, we did not lose any lives in violence," Ginza said, calling for its reimposition.

Ginza insisted that the community does not seek separation from India but wants a constitutional arrangement that allows its people to live with safety and dignity.

The forum also demanded an investigation into alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement with NSCN-IM and called for accountability wherever violations were established.

It sought ex gratia compensation for the next of kin of the 32 people killed and those whose houses were burned down in attacks.

The forum alleged that vulnerable Kuki-Zo villages, including Thawai Kuki, Mullam, Songphel, Loibol, Kultuh, N Teikhang and Chassad, face repeated armed attacks and arson.

It said that Chassad village in Kamjong district suffered repeated incidents of arson. An attack on October 17 claimed the life of Seikhohao Haokip, it added.

Besides protection for Kuki-Zo villages, the outfit demanded access to essential medical services and commodities, an end to "selective" National Investigation Agency operations against civilians, and accountability for alleged atrocities dating back to the 1990s.

The press conference was held under the theme, 'Stop the ambushes. Stop the killings. Protect Kuki-Zo civilians'.