Senapati, October 2: The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, has declared October 3 as “Separation Day” and called for a 12-hour total shutdown along National Highway-2 (NH-2), the vital lifeline of Manipur, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, CoTU reiterated that the ethnic conflict which broke out on May 3, 2023, remains unresolved even after nearly three years. The organisation blamed the then BJP-led state government under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba for deepening the ethnic divide in Manipur.
CoTU stated that since the violence erupted, the 3rd of every month has been observed to honour the “brave and beloved brethren and fallen heroes” who, it said, defended Kuki-Zo land from encroachment by non-tribal groups.
“This October 3rd will be observed with full fervour as ‘Separation Day’ to remind the Government of India that the Kuki-Zo people are already physically and demographically separated from the majoritarian Meitei community,” the statement said.
The shutdown will see all markets, businesses, and educational institutions along NH-2 remain closed, while exemptions will be made for medical emergencies and funeral services.
Expressing gratitude to the community for its resilience, CoTU urged the Kuki-Zo people to maintain unity and solidarity in their ongoing struggle for emancipation.
