ITLF Stages Massive Rally in Manipur Demanding Separate Union Territory for Kuki-Zo Community
Guwahati: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) on Monday took out a massive rally to press for their demand for a separate Union territory with legislature status under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution to the hilly areas occupied by the people of Kuki-Zo community in Manipur.
Before the rally began, the public, including presidents of the Zomi Council, Kuki Inpi, Zo United, and leaders of various tribes, gathered at Churachandpur Public Ground. Leaders from Zo United, Kuki Inpi Manipur, Zomi Council and ITLF addressed the assembly. The rally was flagged off by Zomi Council general secretary Pauneihlal Vaiphei.
The slogan-shouting rally proceeded along Tipaimukh Road, IB Road and then Tedim Road, reaching The Wall of Remembrance near the DC Office at Peace Ground. A memorandum addressing Union home minister Amit Shah was submitted through Churachandpur DC Dharun Kumar.
The protest march displayed banners and placards with messages such as “Expedite A Political Solution for the Kuki Zo People”, “No Political Solution, No Peace”, “Forced Union With Meiteis Won’t Last” and “Ensure Justice, Peace Will Then Follow”.
The local MLA, Saikot Paulienlal, who was part of the protest march, said: “If the government wants peace, it has to come and find peace here. We have been knocking at the doors of various Central authorities in our quest for peace, but it has been elusive.”
In the memorandum submitted to home minister Amit Shah, the ITLF reiterated their political demands for the Kuki-Zo people in Manipur. The memorandum expressed gratitude for the renewed efforts to curb violence in Manipur and restore peace, while emphasising the demand for Union territory status with a legislature under Article 239A of the Constitution.
The speakers at the protest march reiterated that the primary objective of the peaceful protest was to urge the Central government to accelerate efforts in finding a political resolution to the escalating violence in Manipur.
