In a display of solidarity and compassion, the Mizos residing in Jampui Hill, Tripura, held a candlelight vigil at Vanghmun YMA Hall on Tuesday. The purpose of the gathering was to pay tribute to the Kuki-Zo tribes of Manipur who lost their lives in the midst of ethnic turmoil and to pray for peace to reign in the ethnic-torn Manipur state. The programme was organised by Jampui Hill Joint NGO Committee and attended by hundreds.
During the vigil, the Joint NGO Committee made a resolute demand, calling for the dismissal of the Biren Singh-led government, and appealed to the Central Government to intervene for facilitating a solution that would restore harmony and tranquillity in Manipur.
Various tribes of the Mizo community of Tripura also joined in their respective towns and villages, the rest of Mizo diaspora on a solidarity march during the day today, and displaying black flags in each house.
The Mizos of Jampui Hill assisted victims of the ethnic conflict with a total sum of Rs 3 lakh.
In a statement Jampui Hill Joint NGO Committee said, “We, the Mizos of Jampui Hill (Tripura), hereby express our outrage and condemnation at the series of horrifying incidents happening one after another in Manipur since 3rd May 2023 that results in loss of more than 130 lives and still counting, dozens missing, 300+ injured hospitalized, 41,000+people displaced, 359+churches burnt and demolished, 197+villages burnt, 7000+houses gutted”.
The Committee also demanded prompt justice without any bias or hesitation. These atrocious acts of violence reflected not only a gross violation of human rights but also a shameful disregard for the principles of humanity and justice.
“We condemn and express our anguish over the inhuman and gruesome brutality on two Kuki-Zo helpless women who were sexually assaulted and paraded naked in public. This barbaric incident has not only sent shock waves across the country but the world around. Every sensible human being must rise against such human brutality,” the statement of the Committee read.
The statement also read, “We further demand dismissal of CM Biren Singh’s led Manipur government for its negligence, complacency, acts of omission and commission in exacerbating the violence and failure to protect its citizens. Those most responsible for atrocities, including those in positions of command, all must be held accountable and prosecuted”.
The Committee also urged the Central and the State Governments to seriously look into the social, economic and political issues faced by the Kuki-Zo minority that prompted them to demand for a ‘separate administration’ of their own under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution and consider and accord the merits it rightfully deserved.
Calling to show restraint, maturity, rationality and conscious reasoning, the Committee pleaded all concerned parties to refrain from propagandist gestures and rhetoric of communal overtones, both of which have already caused insurmountable destruction to human lives and properties.
The Committee also said, “Our confidence in the Indian democracy is strengthened with the Supreme Court of India showing its utmost concern and asserting that it would intervene if the Government failed to take action”.