Imphal: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body representing the Kuki-Zo tribal communities in Manipur, has decided to call off a mass rally scheduled for Tuesday, following a request from the Central government.
The rally was initially planned to address the ongoing ethnic crisis in the state and to demand the creation of a separate administration or Union Territory with its own legislature for the Kuki-Zo tribals.
The rally was to be held across six districts in Manipur – Pherzawl, Tengnoupal, Jiribam, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and Chandel – where the Kuki-Zo community forms the majority.
The KZC had announced the event as part of their push for an immediate political resolution to the ethnic conflict, which has seen heightened tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribes.
In a joint statement, KZC Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet and General Secretary Rev. V.L. Nghakthang confirmed that the rally was called off after a direct request from the Centre. The statement explained that the KZC had convened an emergency meeting to deliberate on the government’s appeal and had ultimately agreed to cancel the rally in consideration of the political climate.
“We request our people to understand this decision, which is made in the interest of our future political pursuits,” the statement read.
The KZC, which had previously supported the imposition of President’s Rule in the state, expressed hope that the move would pave the way for a political resolution to the ongoing crisis.
The decision to support President’s Rule was backed by several other organizations, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM).
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They believed it would provide the necessary framework for peaceful coexistence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities and lead to lasting political solutions.
Since the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9, intense negotiations have been taking place within the ruling BJP to elect a new leader.
Sambit Patra, the BJP’s northeast-in-charge, has been holding a series of meetings with party ministers, MLAs, and other allies to discuss potential candidates.
However, the lack of consensus over a new chief minister led to the recommendation by the Governor to impose President’s Rule in the state, effectively suspending the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The Assembly is now in suspended animation, with the possibility of its revival at a later date, should the President decide to reinstate it.
