Imphal, May 13: The Kuki National Organization and the Zomi Reunification Organization have reaffirmed their demand for a Union Territory with a legislative assembly, a goal established after May 3, 2023. This position will remain unchanged until further decisions are made.
The Kuki National Organization, a coalition of various Kuki insurgent groups currently under a ceasefire agreement with the government, and the Zomi Reunification Organization, part of the United People’s Front and also under the same agreement, made this announcement following a joint meeting at the residence of the Zomi Reunification Organization’s president.
During the meeting, both organizations unanimously decided to abstain from any events involving Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh during his proposed visit to Churachandpur, a hill district primarily inhabited by the Kuki-Zomi community.
They also resolved to closely monitor incidents of communal discord allegedly spread through various social media platforms, including Facebook. To address this issue, a ‘Joint Monitoring Cell’ has been established, comprising members from the information and public relations departments of both organizations.
According to the statement, the secretaries of both organizations will oversee and coordinate the operations of this Joint Monitoring Cell.
Regarding the use of the term ‘Kuki-Zo’ as a collective name, which the Zomi faction reportedly finds unacceptable, the Kuki National Organization’s cabinet will first discuss this internally with leaders who support the term. Following these discussions, the matter will be revisited in the next joint meeting.
The statement further noted that Zomi leaders suggested using the term ‘Kuki-Zomi’ to recognize a broader political movement.
Concerning the proposal to establish a ‘Central Working Committee’ for coordinating and monitoring ongoing political dialogues, the statement indicated that the Zomi Reunification Organization’s cabinet would first deliberate on this internally before bringing it up for discussion in the next meeting.
Currently, a total of 23 underground organizations, including eight under the United People’s Front and 15 under the Kuki National Organization, are part of a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government, which has been in effect since August 2008.
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