Kuki-Zo women stand guard to bar CM's entry to Kangpokpi
31 Oct 2024 00:31:16
Our Correspondent
KANGPOKPI, Oct 30 : The Kuki-Zo women across Sadar Hills in Kangpokpi district gathered at Gamgiphai this morning to block the anticipated passage of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The protest was organized to prevent Singh’s travel enroute to the Liangmai Changa Ngee 2024 festival in neighboring Senapati district, a visit he ultimately skipped.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) had earlier issued a stern warning to the Chief Minister ahead of his planned visit, labelling any attempt to enter Kuki-Zo areas as “provocative” and potentially “dangerous.” CoTU had previously accused Singh of fuelling violence against the Kuki-Zo community and warned that his presence could ignite renewed unrest in an already fragile region.
The protest, which began around 9 am, saw a large congregation of women monitoring the highway, prepared to prevent any passage of the Chief Minister and other politicians and officials from the Meitei community. The demonstration remained peaceful, with no interruptions to highway traffic or business operations. Shops and businesses in the area continued as usual.
This is the second incident in recent months in which Chief Minister Singh's attempts to traverse Kangpokpi have been thwarted by local resistance from the Kuki-Zo community. A similar effort on August 3 was met with a strong opposition, forcing a cancellation.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) general secretary Lamminlun Singsit had urged the Chief Minister to stop attempting to enter Kuki-Zo dominated areas, emphasizing that continued attempts to pass through Kuki-Zo territories would be seen as "trespassing" and could lead to an escalation in tensions, further deepening the community rift in the State.
Lamminlun Singsit highlighted the community's resolve, stating that under CoTU’s guidance, the Kuki-Zo people would pursue all forms of protest against what they perceive as unauthorized entry into their areas by Meitei officials.
"This stand, he explained, is rooted in the Kuki-Zo community’s longstanding demand for a Separate Administrative structure—a demand that remains unmet amidst a backdrop of ongoing unrest in Manipur. "Unless our call for separate administration is realized, we will oppose any attempts by the Meitei community to enter our regions," Singsit asserted.