Kuki-Zo Forum Seeks President's Rule In Manipur

The Kuki-Zo Women's Forum on Wednesday demanded the reimposition of President's Rule in Manipur, asserting that the prolonged crisis was political in nature and could not be resolved merely by deploying additional security forces.

The forum also reiterated its demand for a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community in the form of a Union Territory with a legislature, describing it as essential for the community's 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 in New Delhi.

"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," Vualzong said, urging the Centre to expedite political dialogue.

He claimed that Kuki-Zo civilians had felt safer under President's Rule and that 32 members of the community had been killed since the formation of the new state government.

"During the President's Rule, we did not lose any lives in violence," he said, calling for Central rule to be reimposed.

Vualzong clarified that the community was not seeking separation from India but wanted a constitutional arrangement that would ensure its safety and dignity.

The forum also demanded an investigation into alleged attacks attributed to the NSCN-IM and violations of the ceasefire agreement, along with accountability wherever violations were established.

It sought ex-gratia compensation for the families of the 32 people allegedly killed in the violence and for those whose houses were destroyed in attacks.

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

It said Chassad village in Kamjong district had witnessed repeated incidents of arson and that Seikhohao Haokip was killed in an attack on October 17.

The forum also sought protection for vulnerable villages, access to essential medical services and commodities, an end to what it called "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”.