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Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Shutdown, mass gatherings mark 2nd anniversary of Manipur conflict
A statewide shutdown and mass gatherings marked the second anniversary of the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities of Manipur on Saturday. Shutdowns, observed in both the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo-dominated hill districts, brought life to a grinding halt across the state. In capital Imphal, all government and private institutions, including schools and colleges, remained closed. Public transportation stayed off the road and business establishments remained closed. While the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) enforced the shutdown in the valley, the Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) led similar actions in the hill areas. In Imphal, COCOMI organised a public convention at Khuman Lampak Stadium, where speakers urged the central government to ensure the 'free and safe movement' of all residents in the state. Thousands of people attended the event. Christened the 'Manipur People's Convention', it adopted a resolution accusing the Centre of failing in its responsibilities and called for an immediate and time-bound roadmap to restore peace and normalcy. The resolution emphasised that Manipur's territorial integrity must not be compromised. 'Under no circumstance shall the territorial integrity, historical identity, and political unity of Manipur be compromised. Any attempt, external or internal, to divide or disintegrate the state will be firmly and collectively opposed by the people of Manipur,' it added. 'We want to return to our homes and live a dignified life like everyone else. We are merely surviving in the relief camps. Given the situation that we are in, there is no future for our children,' said Khuraijam Abem Leima, an internally displaced person speaking at the event. In Churachandpur, thousands of Kuki-Zo residents gathered at the 'Wall of Remembrance' in Tuibuong to observe 'Separation Day', marking their community's continuing demand for a separate administrative arrangement. Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson for the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), said: 'Until and unless our demands for a separate administration in the form of Union Territory is granted, we will continue to fight for justice.' Lenminlal Gangte, vice-president of KSO Churachandpur, added that peace cannot be set as a precondition for resolving the conflict with the Meiteis. Another event took place at the Sehken Village burial site, where MLA L M Khaute advocated for political autonomy, again in the form of a Union Territory. More than 260 people have been killed, 1,500 injured and over 70,000 displaced since ethnic violence broke out between the Meteis and the Kukis on May 3, 2023.
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Manipur marks 2nd anniversary of ethnic clashes with shutdown, mass gatherings
Imphal/Churachandpur, A statewide shutdown and mass gatherings marked the second anniversary of the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities of Manipur on Saturday, amidst demands for free and safe movement of all residents, and a separate administrative arrangement. Shutdowns, observed in both the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo-dominated hill districts, brought life to a grinding halt across the state. While the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity enforced the shutdown in the valley, the Zomi Students' Federation and the Kuki Students' Organisation led similar actions in the hill areas. In state capital Imphal, COCOMI organised a public convention at Khuman Lampak Stadium, where speakers urged the central government to ensure the "free and safe movement" of all residents in the state. Christened the 'Manipur People's Convention', it adopted a resolution accusing the Centre of failing in its responsibilities and called for an immediate and time-bound roadmap to restore peace and normalcy. "The People's Convention demands that the Government of India formally accept responsibility for its role in perpetuating the crisis and immediately initiate a comprehensive, time-bound roadmap for the restoration of peace, law and order, and a secure environment for all communities in Manipur," it stated. The convention also condemned the Suspension of Operations agreements with militant groups like the Kuki National Organisation and United People's Front , claiming these units received "safe havens, financial backing, and logistical support" under the guise of the pact since 2008. The resolution emphasised that Manipur's territorial integrity must not be compromised. "Under no circumstance shall the territorial integrity, historical identity, and political unity of Manipur be compromised. Any attempt, external or internal, to divide or disintegrate the state will be firmly and collectively opposed by the people of Manipur," it added. It also urged the Centre to address illegal immigration, alleging that many individuals have settled in the state using forged documents. In Churachandpur, thousands of Kuki-Zo residents gathered at the 'Wall of Remembrance' in Tuibuong to observe 'Separation Day', marking their community's continuing demand for a separate administrative arrangement. The day was marked by memorial events, musical tributes, and the distribution of compensation to 127 victims by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights. Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson for the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum , said: "Until and unless our demands for a separate administration in the form of Union Territory is granted, we will continue to fight for justice." Lenminlal Gangte, vice-president of KSO Churachandpur, added that peace cannot be set as a precondition for resolving the conflict with the Meiteis. Another memorial event took place at the Sehken Village burial site, where MLA L M Khaute advocated for political autonomy, again in the form of a Union Territory.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Security tightened in Manipur ahead of ethnic strife's second anniversary
Imphal, Security has been tightened across Manipur as a precautionary measure ahead of the second anniversary of the start of the ethnic strife in the state on May 3, 2023, officials said on Friday. Police have intensified frisking and vehicle checks at key locations in Imphal, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi district headquarters to monitor the movement of anti-social elements. Security has also been beefed up in and around Khuman Lampak in Imphal, where the Manipur People's Convention is scheduled. Central forces have been deployed in front of Kangla Gate, officials added. "The security beef-up is a precautionary measure to prevent any unwanted activities by anti-social elements in the state, particularly on Saturday," an official said. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity , a Meitei social organisation, has called on the public to suspend all activities on May 3 and attend the convention. Volunteers have used public address systems to remind citizens of the violence over the past two years and to highlight the alleged threat to the territorial and administrative integrity of the state. The Kuki Students' Organisation and Zomi Students' Federation have also called for a shutdown on May 3 in all Kuki-dominated areas. They encouraged participation in the observation event planned by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum at the Churachandpur district headquarters. In a joint statement, the student bodies said, "May 3 marks the completion of two years since the outbreak of ethnic violence," and urged everyone "to observe the day in silence by closing all educational institutions and business establishments." They also called on people to hoist black flags at their residences as a mark of mourning. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. In a separate development, during a police operation, two active members of the banned outfit UNLF were arrested from North AOC in Imphal West district. They have been identified as Huidrom Pishak and Hanglem Thoiba Meitei. A 9mm pistol loaded with two live rounds was recovered from their possession.
