Manipur: Six Kuki Groups Appeal to Meiteis to Respect Buffer Zone
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Synopsis
On April 10, six Kuki tribal organisations, including KSO, called upon the Meitei community to avoid crossing the buffer zone into Kuki-Zo-Hmar territories. They emphasized the need for a political resolution and respect for the current territorial boundaries to prevent conflict.
Key Takeaways
- Six Kuki organisations urge Meiteis to respect buffer zones.
- Concerns raised over potential incursions during Ching Kaba.
- Call for political resolution for Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities.
- Curfew in Churachandpur relaxed for over 16 hours.
- Rising tensions between Zomi and Hmar tribes due to flag hoisting.
Imphal, April 10 (NationPress) On Thursday, six Kuki tribal organisations, including the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), strongly urged the Meitei community to refrain from crossing the buffer zone, which includes neutral areas leading into regions inhabited by the Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities.
In a unified statement, the six organisations expressed concern over rumors that the Meitei people might attempt to cross this buffer zone for Ching Kaba celebrations at Thangting or Thangjing Hills this April.
“Until a political resolution is achieved by the Government of India for the Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities under the Constitution of India, no amicable interactions regarding the jurisdiction of Kuki-Zo-Hmar lands will be permitted for the Meitei community,” the statement emphasized.
The organisations urged that to prevent any further conflicts, both communities should uphold the status quo and adhere to the buffer zone.
The Kuki-Zo-Hmar community will vehemently oppose any attempt to breach the buffer zone, the statement warned, and called on the government to ensure the protection of both communities’ interests.
The Thangting or Thangjing Hills is a notable mountain peak located in the Churachandpur district.
This north-south mountain range constitutes part of the western boundary of the Imphal Valley.
In a related development, the curfew imposed in the tribal-dominated Churachandpur district was relaxed for over 16 hours on Thursday.
The District Magistrate of Churachandpur, Dharun Kumar S, issued a notification stating that the “curfew enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which restricts unlawful movement and gatherings outside residences, is hereby modified on April 10 to allow access to essential services and supplies for residents of Churachandpur District, especially in urban areas. The relaxation comes due to improvements in the law and order situation.”
The curfew was originally instituted in parts of Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Wednesday due to rising tensions regarding the hoisting of community flags in a “disputed area” between two villages inhabited by different tribes.
Tensions flared between the Zomi and Hmar tribes on Tuesday after community flags were raised in the disputed area between V Munhoih and Rengkai villages within the Churachandpur sub-division.
