The Kuki-Zo Council has earnestly appealed to the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) to immediately lift the indefinite bandh imposed, which came into effect from midnight of 18th July, and allow the safe passage of Kuki-Zo people through the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur.
“Our people have been left with no viable option but to seek alternate routes for movement, as transit through Meitei-dominated areas has become unsafe and impossible,” said a statement issued by Secretary, Information & Publicity, KZC Ginza Vualzong. Blocking the movement of an entire community based on their ethnicity is unconstitutional, inhumane, and unchristian, the statement added.
The statement also stated that the Kuki-Zo community has suffered immense losses since the outbreak between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities on 3rd May 2023, which has killed many and rendered many others homeless too.
The imposition of the bandh by FNCC further compounds the humanitarian crisis faced by the Kuki-Zo community. It is deeply saddening that, as fellow tribal members and Christians, such actions are being undertaken without due consideration of the plight of our people. Blocking the movement of an entire community based on their ethnicity is unconstitutional, inhumane, and unchristian, the statement added.
