Manipur guv visits Churachandpur, urges Kuki-Zos to work for peace

Guwahati: Manipur's new governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who is a former Union home secretary, visited Churachandpur district on Tuesday where he urged Kuki-Zo community leaders to collaborate with the administration in peacebuilding endeavours.Bhalla, in his maiden visit to the Kuki-Zo inhabited district after assuming charge as the governor last week, inaugurated an IT centre at Churachandpur College and engaged with students, listening to their grievances and challenges stemming from the state's crisis.He subsequently met civil society organisations (CSOs), including Kuki Zo Council and ITLF."The governor entreated the leaders of the CSOs to work collaboratively with the administration in peacebuilding efforts," a Raj Bhavan statement said. The Kuki-Zo Council, the apex body of the community, said it has submitted a memorandum to the governor, emphasising the "need for maintaining the sanctity of the buffer zones", the "need for re-demarcation of district police jurisdiction" and deployment of "neutral central security forces"."Hon'ble governor insisted that peace must precede solution. Whereas the council firmly asserted that political dialogue should be expedited with the SoO group and a separate administration-Union Territory with legislature for the Kuki-Zo people be granted under Article 239 (A) of the Constitution for peace to prevail," the council said. It further stated, "Hon'ble governor assured that the central govt will maintain neutrality in maintaining law and order."The council expressed appreciation for the Churachandpur district administration for facilitating the inaugural meeting with the governor during his first visit to the district after assuming office.The Zomi Students' Federation also presented a memorandum to the governor, informing him about the students' challenges, matters concerning the Churachandpur Medical College, and the necessity for establishing a central government office in the district.Subsequently, Bhalla visited the Sadhbhavna Mandap relief camp in Tuibong and interacted with its residents. He also distributed relief materials.En route to Imphal, the governor visited the Chingnu Thangjing Guest House relief camp at Moirang in Bishnupur district and engaged with people of the Meitei community who have sought refuge there. He also distributed relief materials among them.