Guwahati: As Rahul Gandhi, the newly appointed Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and Congress MP, arrived in Manipur on Monday, the Kuki-Zo community appealed to him for support amid the ongoing conflict in the state.
Through a letter, Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) chairman Pagin Haokip and general secretary Pagin Haokip expressed their gratitude to Rahul Gandhi for his renewed efforts to put an end to the violence in Manipur and bring about peace in the region.
They conveyed deep appreciation for the Congress Party’s longstanding commitment to the welfare of all Indians, particularly marginalised tribal groups. They also praised the election of Alfred Kanngam Arthur as the MP from Outer Manipur, to represent our grievances during the “tragic and difficult period”.
They also appraised Gandhi of their concerns.
“We do not have a state government; the one that exists is hostile to us and only supports a certain community. We are facing numerous challenges from the state BJP government, which is utilizing both its official machinery and non-state players inside the Meitei community. Our existence as a political entity is at stake,” the ITLF wrote.
They pointed out that there has been no improvement in the security situation even after a year of killings and displacements, with citizens having to face danger of death on a daily basis.
“A year after the violence began, Kuki-Zo homes and properties are still being set on fire and destroyed. To date, almost 7,000 homes have been demolished, nearly 200 Kuki-Zo have lost their lives, over 360 places of worship were destroyed and about 20,000 have been homeless,” they claimed.
As a minority community with fewer numbers and even fewer resources to protect themselves, the ITLF said that the community is under constant threat of being attacked by militant groups like Arambai Tenggol and the proscribed UNLF, who allegedly have access to a large arsenal of weapons bought from across the border or looted from state armories.
“They have openly stated that their aim is to either kill all of us or drive us out of our lands,” ITLF said.
The Kuki-Zo body said that all commodities, including essentials, were prohibited from entering the Kuki-Zo areas for over a year. They cited how simple medical supplies like cotton swabs remain unavailable.
“This has negatively impacted the quality of life of the Kuki-Zo people. The condition of our internally displaced people is not up to par, with frequent lack of relief materials and amenities,” ITLF said.
Further, the ITLF highlighted that all development activities, including maintenance and repair of public infrastructure, have been halted in Kuki-Zo areas over the past year. They alleged disparity, claiming that Meitei-controlled valley areas receive preferential state patronage.
The ITLF also pointed out severe connectivity challenges faced by tribal communities, noting that they must travel over 350 kilometers to reach the nearest airport in Lengpui, Mizoram. This lack of connectivity adversely affects access to central competitive examinations and emergency medical care. They also highlighted the unreliability of helicopter services due to limited seating and frequent cancellations, stressing the urgent need for immediate solutions to address these connectivity issues.
“With the Kuki-Zo unable to travel to the state capital, the Meitei-controlled state government is using this opportunity to conduct mass job recruitments. As a result, many job opportunities have been lost for the Kuki-Zo, showing that the state government is openly partisan,” they wrote in their letter to Gandhi.
Students have also been adversely affected, especially those in technical lines, as all major centers of learning and all head offices are located in the capital.
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The ITLF stressed the urgent need for an immediate political solution to break the cycle of violence and atrocities in Manipur. They emphasised that the Kuki-Zo minority faces an unsustainable situation, unable to lead dignified and secure lives “given the extent of bloodshed and the radicalization by the majority society”.
To achieve their socio-economic and political aspirations, the ITLF called for the fulfillment of the political settlement outlined in the Congress party’s manifesto, emphasising justice as its cornerstone. They expressed confidence in Rahul Gandhi’s leadership and urged swift action to alleviate their suffering and secure justice without delay.
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