Thousands of Kuki-Zo tribals rally in Manipur’s Churachandpur demanding a political solution, Union Territory status, and protection of tribal rights amid ongoing ethnic conflict and displacement following violence between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities.
Thousands of tribals belonging to the Kuki-Zo community on Wednesday staged a massive rally in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, intensifying their demand for a permanent political solution to the prolonged ethnic and administrative crisis that has deeply affected their lives for nearly three years.
The large-scale rally was jointly organised by the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF). Men, women, and youth from various Kuki-Zo inhabited villages marched for more than four kilometres through the streets of Churachandpur district headquarters, raising slogans and carrying placards that called for justice, security, and political recognition. One of the key demands highlighted during the rally was the creation of a Union Territory with a legislature, which the community believes is essential for long-term peace and self-governance.
Participants asserted that repeated appeals to the authorities have gone unanswered, leaving the Kuki-Zo people vulnerable and marginalized amid ongoing ethnic tensions. Rally leaders emphasized that the demonstration was peaceful but firm, aimed at drawing national attention to what they described as an unresolved humanitarian and political emergency in Manipur’s hill districts.
Following the march, senior leaders of the KZC and ITLF submitted a detailed memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur district, addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The memorandum outlined the community’s grievances and appealed for immediate intervention by the central government to resolve the crisis through a structured political framework.
Similar rallies were simultaneously organised in Moreh town of Tengnoupal district, another Kuki-Zo dominated region, indicating widespread mobilisation across tribal areas. Organisers said the unified demonstrations reflected the collective will of the community to seek dignity, safety, and constitutional safeguards.
The memorandum highlighted the severe human and material losses suffered by the Kuki-Zo people since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023. According to the document, more than 250 Kuki-Zo individuals have lost their lives, over 7,000 houses were destroyed, and 360 places of worship were desecrated or vandalised during the violence. Additionally, more than 40,000 people were forcibly displaced, losing homes, land, and livelihoods.
The document further stated that the Kuki-Zo population has been effectively driven out of the Imphal Valley, resulting in what it described as a complete physical, administrative, and psychological separation between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The memorandum argued that coexistence has become impossible under the current conditions without a clear political roadmap and security guarantees.
Another major concern raised was the restriction of movement faced by the Kuki-Zo people since the outbreak of violence. The memorandum noted that community members have been unable to travel through Meitei-dominated areas, forcing them to rely exclusively on hill inter-village roads, many of which are in extremely poor condition. This isolation has affected access to healthcare, education, markets, and essential services.
The memorandum, jointly signed by KZC Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet and General Secretary Thangzamang, also demanded protection of Kuki-Zo land and properties located in the Imphal Valley. It called for legal safeguards to prevent further encroachment, destruction, or illegal occupation of tribal assets.
According to official state government figures, the ethnic conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 260 people, injuries to more than 1,500 individuals, and displacement of over 70,000 residents across Manipur. The violence began after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts to oppose the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
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While the state and central governments have taken several security and relief measures, Kuki-Zo leaders argue that these steps address only the symptoms of the crisis, not its root causes. They insist that without a comprehensive political settlement, lasting peace in Manipur will remain elusive.
The rally concluded with renewed calls for dialogue, constitutional solutions, and immediate action by the Union government to restore stability and protect the rights of all communities in the state.
