Manipur unrest purely an internal matter of India: Zomi Council

NEW DELHI: The Zomi Council Steering Committee, one of the organisations that represent Zomi-Kuki-Hmar tribes from Manipur, has disengaged itself from efforts to internationalise the ethnic strife, with many civil society outfits seeking to highlight the clashes in the state to embarrass India on international platforms and even demanding foreign intervention.
Amid reports about another Kuki-Zomi outfit, North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA), linking up with Khalistanis and other secessionist forces, the Zomi Council moved in to say, "ZCSC truly believes that the continuing violence in Manipur is purely an internal matter of India, and that the solution for the same lies in the wisdom of the Indian leadership. In fact, the Zo armed groups signed a suspension of operations agreement with the Indian government in 2005 and 2008 to redress their long-standing political aspirations within the constitutional framework of India, much before the current conflict started on May 3."
There are indications that Zomi Innkuan, an organisation of Zomis, may also disown NAMTA's act shortly. The Zomi Council, however, stopped short of criticising those seeking foreign intervention in Manipur, and appreciated "these civil society organisations for their selfless commitment and contribution towards highlighting the pitiable conditions of the Zo people". The Zomi Council demanded creation of a UT with a legislature, carved out of Manipur, for the Zo community.