Imphal: The Kuki Zo Council (KZC) Thursday asserted that the issue of “reopening” National Highway-2 (Imphal–Dimapur) does not arise, as the road was never closed or blocked, and cautioned that its decision must not be misinterpreted as an endorsement of unrestricted or free movement across the Meitei and Kuki areas.
In a press statement, KZC said, “We categorically reiterate that the Imphal-Dimapur NH-2 has never been closed or blocked. The NH-2 has consistently remained open for commuters and for the transportation of essential goods. Therefore, the question of ‘reopening’ does not arise, contrary to certain media reports,” it said.
It added, “Our appeal was specifically confined to the stretch of NH-02 passing through Kangpokpi district. It must not be misinterpreted as an endorsement of unrestricted or free movement across the buffer zones. The sanctity of the buffer zones between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo areas will continue to be strictly respected and maintained.”
The council said its appeal was simply to urge the people of Kangpokpi to extend cooperation to the central security forces deployed to ensure safety along the highway.
“It is the responsibility of the Government of India to deploy and manage central forces to secure commuters and the transport of goods. It is neither the duty of the local public in Kangpokpi nor of KZC to guarantee foolproof security for national highway users. The MHA has assured that adequate central forces will be deployed to provide necessary security along NH-02 (Imphal-Dimapur)” it added.
Two prominent Kuki-Zo groups on Thursday signed a suspension of operations (SoO) agreement with the government on re-negotiated terms and conditions under which they agreed on maintaining territorial integrity of Manipur, relocating designated camps away from vulnerable areas and working for a solution to bring lasting peace and stability in the state.
The signing of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF) is also set to have a positive impact on peace efforts in Manipur, officials said.
Separately, civil society group Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has decided to open the National Highway-02, which passes through Manipur for free movement of commuters and essential goods.
The move comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s likely visit to Manipur next week, first since ethnic violence broke out between the Meiteis and Kukis in May 2023.
Welcoming MHA decision to extend the SoO pact with KNO and UPF and expressing hope that the Centre will follow up by resuming political dialogue for a separate administration, the Council said, “We therefore request the general public not to be misled by inaccurate interpretations, and to refrain from spreading misinformation on this sensitive matter.”
Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence since May 3, 2023, after a tribal solidarity march was taken out in the hill districts, in protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Since then, about 260 people, including members of both the Kuki and Meitei communities as well as security personnel, have been killed in the violence. However, there has been relative peace in Manipur in last few months.
Meanwhile, Kuki community-based Village Volunteers Coordinating Committee (VVCC) has expressed shock and disappointment over the decision to open NH-2 for the free movement of commuters and essential commodities, but reiterated that there shall be no free movement of Meiteis in Kuki areas.
In a statement, KVCC said, “We strongly condemn this unilateral decision of KZC. It was taken without any consultation with the general public or the primary stakeholders directly affected by the ongoing conflict. As such, we declare this decision null and void.”
“We reaffirm our principled stance: there shall be no free movement for the Meitei community within Kuki-Zo territories until a separate administrative arrangement for the Kuki-Zo people is de jure,” it added.
The VVCC also announced a complete boycott of KZC and cautioned that the council should bear full responsibility for any consequences.
The committee also wished that the Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups are not mandated representatives of the Kuki-Zo people.
“We do not oppose their decision to sign or extend the SoO pact with the government of India. Whether they choose to uphold the territorial integrity of Manipur is a matter for the SoO groups themselves. However, such decisions have no bearing on the collective will or political aspirations of the Kuki-Zo population” it said, urging community members to remain united and vigilant in protecting interests of the community.
PTI
