Kuki Zo Council leaders held a pivotal meeting with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi on January 15, 2025, aiming to ensure that the Kuki-Zo community’s concerns are heard amidst the ongoing unrest in Manipur.
Kuki-Zo Council Engages MHA in Delhi: A Step Toward Advocacy
On January 15, 2025, leaders from the Kuki Zo Council met with senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi to discuss issues affecting the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur. The delegation, which included Kuki Zo Council Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet, met with Northeast Advisor A K Mishra and Rajesh Kamble, Joint Director of the Intelligence Bureau. The meeting, though framed as a “courtesy visit,” was aimed at ensuring that the voices of the Kuki-Zo people are recognized and considered by the central government.
The Kuki Zo Council, which represents a significant segment of the population in Churachandpur, Manipur, is seeking a more prominent role in national discussions, particularly regarding the ongoing unrest in the state. This meeting, which did not directly address the current crisis, marks an important first step toward raising awareness of the Kuki-Zo community’s plight.
Raising Voices for the Kuki-Zo People
During the meeting, Chairman Henlianthang Thanglet shared that the purpose of the visit was to ensure that the Kuki-Zo community’s concerns are not overlooked in national conversations. “We felt that our issues were not being heard in mainland India,” he said. This sentiment reflects the community’s growing frustration over its lack of representation in political dialogues concerning the ongoing violence in Manipur.
The Kuki-Zo community, despite being a significant ethnic group in Manipur, has often found itself excluded from the larger political conversations surrounding the state’s unrest. This meeting with MHA officials is seen as an initial effort to bring the community’s concerns to the national level.
Strengthening the Community’s Political Presence
Although the meeting did not yield immediate outcomes, it is an important step toward giving the Kuki-Zo community a stronger voice in national decision-making processes. By meeting with key MHA officials, the Kuki Zo Council hopes to set the stage for more in-depth discussions about the community’s political representation, security, and socioeconomic challenges.
The Kuki Zo Council is committed to ensuring that the community’s needs are addressed in both state and national policies. Their visit to New Delhi signifies the beginning of a larger campaign to ensure that the Kuki-Zo people are not sidelined in the ongoing efforts to resolve the situation in Manipur.
A Path Toward Peace and Security for Kuki-Zo Community
In the long run, the Kuki Zo Council hopes that these engagements will lead to tangible outcomes, such as greater political representation and enhanced security for their people. As tensions in Manipur continue to rise, the council remains committed to working with the central government to find lasting solutions for the Kuki-Zo community.
The Kuki Zo Council’s ongoing advocacy efforts aim to bring national attention to the plight of the Kuki-Zo people and to ensure their place in the larger political and social framework of the region.