Reported by: Bit Irom
Imphal: Hundreds of people from the Kuki-Zo community staged protest rallies in Manipur’s Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts on Saturday, demanding justice for the killing of three church leaders from the Thadou community and the release of individuals allegedly held in captivity.
In Churachandpur district, the rally was organised by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR). The march began at Koite playground and concluded at the Wall of Remembrance, where protesters raised demands for stronger security measures and accountability for the killings.
A separate demonstration was also held in Kangpokpi district, where a large number of Kuki-Zo protesters marched from Motbung Bazaar to Charhajare. The rally coincided with a 48 hour shutdown called by Kuki Inpi Manipur and organised by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU).
Participants carried placards and banners carrying slogans seeking justice for the slain leaders and condemning violence in the region. Protesters also reiterated their demand for a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community and sought the release of 14 persons reportedly in the custody of the United Naga Council (UNC).
At the end of the demonstrations, memoranda highlighting the community’s demands were submitted to the Union Home Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur.
Among the key demands raised were a high-level probe into the killing of the three church leaders, reinstatement of President’s Rule in Manipur, strengthening of the security system and deployment of security forces in Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.
During the rallies, demonstrators also called for protection of human rights and strict action against those responsible for the recent ambush on the Imphal bypass road between Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.
The three church leaders were killed after unidentified armed men attacked their vehicle while they were returning to Kangpokpi from a church reconciliation meeting in Churachandpur.
The incident has also triggered debate over the identity of the victims, with Thadou Inpi Manipur urging media organisations to identify the deceased as members of the Thadou community instead of describing them as Kuki.