Latest news with #ITLF
NDTV
03-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Protests By Kuki, Meitei Groups Mark 2 Years Of Manipur Ethnic violence
New Delhi: Members of the Kuki and Zomi tribes and the Meitei community held separate demonstrations at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday to mark the completion of two years since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023. Dressed in black, the Kuki protesters mourned the loss of those killed in the violence and reiterated their demand for a separate administration for their community. The protest was organised by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) and the Kuki-Zo Women's Forum, Delhi (KZWFD). The protesters raised their demands, including the creation of a separate administrative set-up for the Kuki tribes due to their concerns about safety, displacement and lack of justice. "We have been asking the government to give us a solution, let us live a normal life like people in any other state," said Gladdy Vaipay Honjan, a Kuki activist in Delhi. She said the community continues to suffer even after two years, with no justice for the violence, displacements and destruction. The protesters observed a moment of silence for those killed and displaced, and held placards that read, "Freedom's call: Separate administration" and "No justice, no peace". The Meitei protesters, dressed in white, gathered under the banner of the Delhi Meitei Coordinating Committee. They demanded justice, rehabilitation and a safe return of all internally-displaced persons to their original homes. Their demands included ending cross-border terrorism, withdrawal of support to armed groups under the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement and the removal of buffer zones dividing communities. RK Khaidasana, a Meitei protester from Churachandpur in Manipur, shared his experience of the crisis. "Since May 3, 2023, I have been displaced from my home and I want to go back and resettle. I urge the government to give us justice," he said. "Around 4:30 pm (On May 3, 2023), violence broke out in our area, houses were set on fire and people fled for safety," he added. Both groups emphasised the need for a long-term solution to the ongoing ethnic tensions in the northeastern state. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands left homeless in the violence between the Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur since May 2023. The valley-dominant Meitei community and over a dozen distinct tribes collectively known as Kukis, who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, have been fighting over a range of issues such as land rights and political representation. Over 260 have died in the violence and nearly 50,000 have been internally displaced.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur gatherings to mark two years of conflict on May 3
Guwahati: Manipur's two warring communities — Meiteis and Kuki-Zos — have planned public gatherings to mark the completion of two years of the conflict between them on May 3. Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an umbrella organization of the Meiteis, has announced a public convention at Khuman Lampak on the day to deliberate on the ongoing crisis and to adopt resolutions aimed at restoring peace and normalcy. COCOMI convener Khuraijam Athouba told the media that the upcoming convention would bring together scholars, community leaders, and representatives from civil society organisations to discuss a unified approach to resolving the crisis. On the other hand, Kuki-Zo 's Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) Conglomerate of Recognised Tribes will observe "Separation Day" on the day at the Wall of Remembrance at Tuibuong "to mark two years of total separation from the Meitei community in Manipur". ITLF has announced the event will be a day of reflection and remembrance for the victims of the ethnic conflict that has deeply impacted the Kuki-Zo communities. It will feature the "Jangnadopna" ceremony, a traditional condolence ritual to honour those who lost their lives during the conflict.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kuki-Zo student organisations urge people to observe shutdown on May 3 in parts of Manipur
Two Kuki-Zomi student organisations have urged people to observe a shutdown of all educational institutions and business establishments in parts of Manipur on May 3 to mark the second anniversary of the beginning of ethnic violence in the state. Zomi Students Federation (ZSF) and Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) said May 3, 2025, marks the completion of two years of the outbreak of the ethnic strife and urged all "to observe the day in silence by closing all educational institutions and all business establishments". More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. The imposition of the President's rule came after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation. The student bodies also called for "hoisting black flags at the respective residences of all". These organisations also said a "mass prayer would be observed at Martyrs' cemetery and a public gathering at the wall of remembrance in Churachandpur district headquarters", and asked the public to attend the programme. Earlier, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) said May 3 would be observed as a "Separation Day". In a statement, the ITLF said, "There will be a day of reflection and remembrance for the victims of the ethnic conflict that has deeply impacted the Kuki-Zo communities". There will be a series of programmes, including prayers and exhortations for the victims and their families, a keynote address, organisational reports, and speeches by various tribal leaders, it said in a statement. Imphal valley-based COCOMI, a Meitei organisation, had on Tuesday (April 29, 2025) appealed to the people to halt all activities on May 3 and attend a public convention being organised on the day at Khuman Lampak stadium to discuss the future of the state. Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) also announced that May 3 this year would be observed as a "solemn day of remembrance and solidarity under the theme Bridging Divides for Shared Future".
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kuki-Zo student organisations urge people to observe shutdown on May 3 in parts of Manipur
Kuki-Zomi student groups are planning a shutdown of Manipur educational and business institutions on May 3. This marks two years since the start of ethnic violence. Zomi Students Federation and Kuki Students Organisation have called for silent observation. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Two Kuki -Zomi student organisations have urged people to observe a shutdown of all educational institutions and business establishments in parts of Manipur on May 3 to mark the second anniversary of the beginning of ethnic violence in the state. Zomi Students Federation ( ZSF) and Kuki Students Organisation ( KSO) said May 3, 2025, marks the completion of two years of the outbreak of the ethnic strife and urged all "to observe the day in silence by closing all educational institutions and all business establishments".More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May imposition of the President's rule came after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended student bodies also called for "hoisting black flags at the respective residences of all".These organisations also said a "mass prayer would be observed at Martyrs' cemetery and a public gathering at the wall of remembrance in Churachandpur district headquarters", and asked the public to attend the the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) said May 3 would be observed as a "Separation Day".In a statement, the ITLF said, "There will be a day of reflection and remembrance for the victims of the ethnic conflict that has deeply impacted the Kuki-Zo communities".There will be a series of programmes, including prayers and exhortations for the victims and their families, a keynote address, organisational reports, and speeches by various tribal leaders, it said in a valley-based COCOMI, a Meitei organisation, had on Tuesday appealed to the people to halt all activities on May 3 and attend a public convention being organised on the day at Khuman Lampak stadium to discuss the future of the of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) also announced that May 3 this year would be observed as a "solemn day of remembrance and solidarity under the theme Bridging Divides for Shared Future".
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Manipur tribal body to observe May 3 as ‘Separation Day'
GUWAHATI: A tribal organisation catering to Kuki-Zo aspirations has called for observing May 3 as 'Separation Day' to mark 'two years of total separation from the Meitei community' in Manipur. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) said the solemn day would be observed at the Wall of Remembrance for the Kuki-Zo people killed in the ethnic conflict that broke out on May 3, 2023. It said the wall in Churachandpur district's Tuibuong stands as a symbol of collective grief, resilience, and unity. 'The event will be a day of reflection and remembrance for the victims of the ethnic conflict that has deeply impacted the Kuki-Zo communities. It will feature a series of programmes, including prayers and exhortations for the victims and their families, a keynote address, organisational reports, and speeches by various tribal leaders,' the ITLF said in a statement on Wednesday (April 23, 2025). It added that a significant part of the event will be the 'Jangnadopna' ceremony, a traditional condolence ritual to honour those who lost their lives during the conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. 'There will be no shutdown on the day. However, traffic movement will be restricted in and around the Wall of Remembrance to ensure the sanctity and smooth conduct of the programme,' the ITLF said, appealing to all sections of the community to participate in the event. More than 250 people were killed and some 60,000 were displaced in Manipur since May 2023. Although the State has been relatively peaceful after the imposition of the President's Rule on February 13, the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities have either avoided or have been barred from travelling to each other's territories.
