Peace before solution, says Governor in maiden visit to CCpur SA first, peace later, say Kuki CSOs

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 7: Even as Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla "insisted" on peace before solution, Kuki civil society organisations have raised the call for a Separate Administration in the form of Union Territory as a precondition "for peace to prevail" in Manipur.
AK Bhalla appealed for peace to Kuki-Zo CSOs during his maiden visit to Churachandpur district today after assuming the office of the Governor recently.
The Governor visited Churachandpur and Bishnu-pur districts today and interacted with internally displaced persons at various relief camps.
During his visit to Churachandpur district Headquarters in the morning, the Governor inaugu- rated a newly constructed IT Centre at Churachandpur College, and later held a meeting with various civil society organisations at the Deputy Commissioner's office.
Representatives of several civil society organisations attended the meeting at the DC's office, and Kuki-Zo Council submitted a memorandum to the Governor on issues pertaining to the current conflict in the State.
During the meeting, the Governor "insisted that peace must come first and then solution."
He appealed to the leaders of the CSOs to work collaboratively with the administration in peace-building efforts.
The Kuki-Zo Council, on the other hand, strongly asserted that "political talk should be expedited with SoO groups and a Separate Administration-Union Territory with legislature for the Kuki-Zo people be granted under Article 239 (A) of the Indian Constitution for peace to prevail."
In a statement released to the media, Kuki-Zo Council said its memorandum to the Governor called for "re-demarcation" of district police jurisdiction; deployment of a neutral Central security force; and the "need for maintaining the sanctity of the buffer zones".
The KZC said, "The Governor promised that the Central Government will maintain neutrality in maintaining law and order". At Churachandpur, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla visited the Sadhbhavna Mandap Relief Camp. He interacted with the IDPs and distributed relief materials.
On his way back to Imphal, the Governor visited Chingnu Thangjing Guest House Relief Camp at Moirang in Bishnupur district.
The Governor interacted with the internally displaced persons and distributed relief materials.