Manipur: Kuki Students’ Organization Sadar Hills criticizes Senapati District Students’ Association after rally blockade in Kangpokpi

The Kuki Students’ Organization Sadar Hills has expressed significant displeasure over the actions of the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) during a peaceful public rally held Saturday at Tumnoupokpi Village, Kangpokpi district.

In a statement, KSO Sadar Hills outlined that on August 30, 2024, they had informed the SDSA of their plans to conduct a peaceful public rally on August 31, 2024. According to KSO Sadar Hills, the SDSA had acknowledged the cooperative nature of the KSO leadership at that time.

However, the situation took a turn when the SDSA issued a late-night press release yesterday, asking the KSO Sadar Hills not to hold any rally in areas within their jurisdiction. The KSO Sadar Hills found it surprising that the SDSA, based in Senapati district, would claim jurisdiction over Kangpokpi district. Despite this, in the interest of maintaining peaceful co-existence, KSO Sadar Hills refrained from sloganeering in the Naga villages passed during the rally, it said.

The KSO Sadar Hills statement continued, “In spite of all brotherly attitude that KSO-SH had showered upon the SDSA leadership, it was very unfortunate that SDSA leaders had physically blocked the National Highway at Tumnoupokpi Village today, preventing the march of the peaceful public rally.” The statement also noted that despite frustrations among rally participants, the KSO Sadar Hills managed to keep the rally peaceful.

The organization expressed frustration with what it perceives as the SDSA’s favoritism towards the policies of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, despite the SDSA’s self-claimed neutrality. The KSO Sadar Hills stated, “While we have always been trying to acknowledge the self-claimed neutrality of the SDSA during this Kuki-Meitei conflict, we fail to understand how their neutrality always appears to appease N Biren Singh and always appears to favour the policies of N Biren Singh.”

The KSO Sadar Hills emphasized their desire for peaceful coexistence and understanding with their Naga neighbors, expressing hope for peace and a greater understanding amidst ongoing conflicts. “As we worship a common God, it is our hope and prayer for peace to prevail and for greater understanding from our Naga brothers as we face the brutalities of N Biren Singh continually,” the press release read.

MT