Zomi Council Urges Amit Shah for Political Autonomy and Justice in Manipur
The Zomi Council, representing the interests of hill tribes in Manipur, has formally submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding time-bound political autonomy for the Kuki-Zomi-Mizo-Hmar communities. The council asserts that this autonomy is the only viable path to achieving lasting peace in the region, emphasizing that justice for Pu Vungzagin Valte is intrinsically linked to justice for the entire Zo people.
Call for Expedited CBI Inquiry into Valte Attack
In the memorandum, the council highlighted the urgent need to speed up the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the attack on Pu Vungzagin Valte, a former BJP MLA. The incident, which occurred on May 4, 2023, resulted in Valte being lynched, while his driver, Thanghoulal, tragically succumbed to injuries on the same day. The council expressed deep concern over the lack of visible, time-bound prosecution nearly three years after the attack, describing it as a clear case of systematic marginalization of hill tribes under what they term as majoritarian Meitei dominance.
The council stated, "The manner and circumstances of the unfortunate attack on his life on the fateful day of May 4, 2023, raises many doubts and unanswered questions. It is our demand that the case be speeded up impartially and book the culprits and all those responsible as per law of the land in a time-bound manner." This demand underscores the council's frustration with the perceived delays in the judicial process, which they believe exacerbates tensions in the already volatile region.
Demands for Constitutional and Administrative Measures
Beyond the specific case of Valte, the Zomi Council has called on the central government to initiate a time-bound engagement to address the political aspirations of the Zo hill tribes. The memorandum outlines the need for concrete constitutional and administrative measures to ensure genuine political autonomy and security for these communities. The council warned that denying justice to Valte equates to denying justice to the Zo people, framing the issue as a critical test of the government's commitment to tribal rights and equitable governance.
The council's demands include:
- Expediting the CBI inquiry into the attack on Pu Vungzagin Valte to ensure accountability.
- Implementing time-bound political autonomy for Kuki-Zomi-Mizo-Hmar tribes as a peace-building measure.
- Addressing systematic marginalization through constitutional safeguards and administrative reforms.
This move by the Zomi Council reflects broader tensions in Manipur, where ethnic divisions between hill tribes and the Meitei community have long fueled conflict. The council's emphasis on political autonomy highlights their quest for self-determination and protection against perceived dominance, aiming to foster a more inclusive and stable political environment in the state.
