The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra received a warm welcome when it reached Mainpur's Kangpokpi district this morning at 8:00 am at Gamgiphai, the peripheral area of Kangpokpi and Imphal West.
Thousands of people, especially from the Kuki-Zo community, welcomed the senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his team, displaying the Kuki-Zo traditional "Salulap Dance".
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra supporters in Kangpokpi district also blessed the senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with the slogan, "Pu Rahul Gandhi, Damsot hen", which means, "Honourable Rahul Gandhi, Long Live".
The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra which was kicked off under the theme, "Saho Mat, Daro Mat", which means, "Tolerate No More, Fear No More" from Khongjom in Thoubal district reached Kangpokpi after halting for a night at Sekmai.
Kangpokpi district is among the 110 districts in 15 states, which is being covered by the Yatra travelling 6700 plus Kilometres in a span of 66 days.
During the 25 Kilometer journey in a Volvo bus before reaching Kangpokpi district headquarters, the Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights, or the KWOHR members, who traveled along with the senior Congress leader apprised him of the current situation, grievances and hardships, and the various human rights violations and also highlighted the prevailing situation of Moreh.
A member of KWOHR told the media at Kangpokpi that they have told Rahul Gandhi that unless the state forces are withdrawn or removed from the border town, there will be no peace in Moreh.
The Kuki-Zo people in all the villages along the National Highway-2 were seen coming out on the roadside forming a human chain to greet Rahul Gandhi before reaching Kangpokpi District Headquarters.
Apart from several other Congress leaders, the INC candidates in the last MLA election in Manipur from Saitu constituency, Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip, and Saikul constituency Kim Haokip also accompanied Rahul Gandhi in the yatra.
At Kangpokpi District Headquarters, the Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills met the senior Congress leader Gandhi and submitted a memorandum.
In the memorandum, Thangminlen Kipgen, President of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills said that the issue of the ethnic violence in the state has been highlighted before the Congress leader. The Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, in the memorandum, blamed the N Biren Singh government for the violence that erupted in the state in May 3 last year.
He also stated that the Kuki-Zo community is currently facing a severe crisis, exacerbated by the inability to access hospitals and colleges in Imphal, and in light of this, a request was sent for Gandhi's intervention in facilitating the establishment of a hospital and a secular college at Kangpokpi District through NGOs or private entities for the affected Kuki-Zo people. He further stated that this step is critical in providing immediate relief and addressing the healthcare and educational needs of the affected population.
Strongly condemning the Manipur government's proposal to locate designated camps for UNLF surrendered cadres in tribal areas while considering it as a direct provocation of the tribal sentiment, Thangminlen Kipgen stated that such a move not only jeopardizes the security of tribal populations but also raises serious humanitarian concerns.
He also stated that the recent efforts by the Manipur government to de-enlist tribes under the Kuki community as scheduled tribes is deeply distressing.
Pointing out that the Kuki community has a distinguished history of fighting alongside Indians during the freedom movement against the British, Kipgen stated that any attempt to revoke their scheduled tribe status undermined their historical contributions and rights. The top Kuki body also seeks urgent intervention from Rahul Gandhi to address such critical issues, promote peace, and safeguard the rights of the affected communities in Manipur.
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