IT News
Imphal, March 6:
With just two days left before the scheduled reopening of National Highways for unrestricted movement, as directed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), Kuki MLAs, and Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement are set to hold a crucial meeting today in Churachandpur.
According to sources, the meeting will address several pressing issues, including the Union Home Minister’s directive to allow free movement along National Highway 102 and other routes starting March 8. This move has been met with strong opposition from the Kuki-Zo Council, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), and other Kuki civil society organizations (CSOs), who have previously expressed their refusal to comply unless their demands are fulfilled.
In addition to the highway reopening, the meeting is expected to discuss the recent directive from the Governor of Manipur for armed groups to surrender their weapons. The Kuki CSOs have rejected this directive, asserting that they will not lay down arms until their demand for a separate administration is met.
Amid these developments, sources indicate that one potential compromise to comply with the Home Minister’s directive could involve allowing Meitei civilians to travel in groups, such as in convoys or buses, under the protection of neutral forces along National Highway 2 via Kangpokpi. However, the Kuki-Zo leadership remains firm in its opposition to unrestricted movement of Meiteis through Churachandpur.
As tensions persist, all eyes remain on the outcome of today’s meeting, which is expected to play a crucial role in determining the next course of action regarding the implementation of the highway reopening directive.
