On Wednesday, Kuki-Zo groups which had led the call to boycott the September 13 visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Manipur, welcomed the visit as a historic and a once in a lifetime event. One of the most important organisations representing the community, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), pointed out that the offered visit is almost forty years after the last visit by a Prime Minister to the area. In response to this, the council was hopeful that PM Modi would be able to address the long-held Kuki-Zo aspirations in the trip.
The Kuki-Zo Council, representing the whole Kuki-Zo fraternity, is delighted to welcome the impending visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to our land. The occasion is historic and rare, said the organisation in a statement. It also reported that the community has suffered a lot throughout the years and believed in the democratic powers and leadership in India.
The council restated the community demand for separate administration in the shape of a union territory, a legislature under Article 239A of the Constitution that gives power to Parliament to establish a local legislature, a council of ministers, or both. The council also added, “We had trust in your leadership to heal our wounds, rebuild our dignity, and protect the future of the Kuki-Zo people.”
Although a number of other organisations that represent the Kuki-Zo community also greeted the visit, they emphasised that it must be based on contact with the victims of ethnic violence and not on ritualistic aspects. The Imphal Hmar Displaced Committee urged the Prime Minister to visit the displaced persons in the relief camps rather than attend some of the planned dances or welcome programmes. In the same tone, Gangte Students Organisation of the Churachandpur district asserted that they were in support of the visit, but the mourning of the community must not be ignored.
Kuki Inpi Manipur, the highest organization of the Kuki community, had argued that the visit made by PM Modi must not only be accepted but also be a means of justice.
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