Is Territorial Council answer to the Manipur crisis?
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 17: Even though the Kuki-Zo militant groups and their frontal organisations have been demanding a Separate Administration for the Kuki-Zo people, there is also the possibility of resolving the crisis by granting Territorial Council.
During the meeting held separately with BJP North East in-charge Sambit Patra and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials at Delhi on October 15, the Kuki-Zo legislators demanded a Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo people, sources informed.
The separate meeting was held just hours before the joint meeting with Meitei, Kuki and Naga legislators at the same venue and MHA’s North East in-charge AK Mishra was also present. The sources said that the Kuki-Zo legislators as mandated must speak for the people.
As such, the Kuki-Zo legislators stated during the separate meeting that resolving the protracted crisis and restoring peace in Manipur was in everybody’s interest.
Pointing out that the Kuki-Zo people cannot go to Imphal on account of the crisis, they urged the Government of India’s representatives to make some arrangements.
The Kuki-Zo legislators urged the Government of India to come up with an arrangement like a Territorial Council or devolve more powers to the District Council, said the well placed sources.
According to the sources, the IB officials have been studying the demands of Kuki-Zo people as well as the Nagas’ demands.
As Nagas also have their own demands, there is no guarantee that the Government of India will entertain the demands placed by Kuki-Zo legislators.
However, if the Government of India is committed to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur as it has assured repeatedly, it may come up with the idea of creating a Territorial Council for the Kuki-Zo people, said the sources.
Territorial Council does not necessarily mean it will cover greater territory than the District Councils. It is basically about giving more powers to District Councils, according to the sources.
Notably, the last term of the Autonomous District Councils of Manipur expired in November 2020 but elections to elect new Members have not been held till date.
IMPHAL, Oct 17: Even though the Kuki-Zo militant groups and their frontal organisations have been demanding a Separate Administration for the Kuki-Zo people, there is also the possibility of resolving the crisis by granting Territorial Council.
During the meeting held separately with BJP North East in-charge Sambit Patra and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials at Delhi on October 15, the Kuki-Zo legislators demanded a Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo people, sources informed.
The separate meeting was held just hours before the joint meeting with Meitei, Kuki and Naga legislators at the same venue and MHA’s North East in-charge AK Mishra was also present. The sources said that the Kuki-Zo legislators as mandated must speak for the people.
As such, the Kuki-Zo legislators stated during the separate meeting that resolving the protracted crisis and restoring peace in Manipur was in everybody’s interest.
Pointing out that the Kuki-Zo people cannot go to Imphal on account of the crisis, they urged the Government of India’s representatives to make some arrangements.
The Kuki-Zo legislators urged the Government of India to come up with an arrangement like a Territorial Council or devolve more powers to the District Council, said the well placed sources.
According to the sources, the IB officials have been studying the demands of Kuki-Zo people as well as the Nagas’ demands.
As Nagas also have their own demands, there is no guarantee that the Government of India will entertain the demands placed by Kuki-Zo legislators.
However, if the Government of India is committed to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur as it has assured repeatedly, it may come up with the idea of creating a Territorial Council for the Kuki-Zo people, said the sources.
Territorial Council does not necessarily mean it will cover greater territory than the District Councils. It is basically about giving more powers to District Councils, according to the sources.
Notably, the last term of the Autonomous District Councils of Manipur expired in November 2020 but elections to elect new Members have not been held till date.