By Salonee Kulkarni
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the conflict-affected state Manipur on September 13. The visit aims to address the concerns through separate rallies in Imphal and Churachandpur, the cities which witnessed most violence in the state, for two years.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the current governor of Manipur, met five Kuki-Zo MLAs before the commencement of the arrival of PM Modi on September 13. A meeting on Wednesday was held discussing the preparations for the PM’s visit. MLAs from Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts were present.
According to the plan, after visiting the neighbouring state of Mizoram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Manipur. This will be PM Modi’s first visit in Manipur, after the 2 year-long and still ongoing tribal violence which occurred in May 2023.
The crowd will be addressed by the PM in the presence of security officials and guards, comprising the Kuki-Zo Community. Later in the afternoon, issues and concerns raised by the Churachandpur town will be addressed. An official emphasised that the conditions must be permissible for the PM to visit Churachandpur town. The route for the event is planned to be from Imphal to Churachandpur town. The event in Imphal is scheduled to take place at the Kangla Fort.
Okram Ibobi Sing, from the opposition party, Congress, stated the invitation of MLAs for the meeting was selective and the absence of elected representatives undermines the principles of democracy, further sidelining marginalised voices.
The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) wants to be governed as a Union territory. The administrative policies for a Union territory must be applied to a separate administration demanded by the Kuki-Zo Council. The state has faced hardships due to ethnic violence. The council issued a statement highlighting the loss of 250 lives of people by the Meitei community, which is in the majority. 40,000 people currently live in relief camps, and places of worship have been burnt.
The Kuki-Zo community will be honouring the PM with a cordial welcome, and believes in the community and leadership qualities of the nation who will understand their demands. The need for it under Article 239A arises from the idea of establishing peace, security and survival. It believes that the resolution will abide by the democratic principles of the nation.
The Council further highlighted, “We place our trust in your leadership to heal our wounds, restore our dignity, and safeguard the future of the Kuki-Zo people.” The Council hopes that the visit will be successful and will bear results ending the long ethnic conflict and reaching a resolution.