The Global Kuki-Zomi-Hmar Women Community of Manipur has decided to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024. In a letter to Rajiv Kumar,
Chief Election Commissioner of India, Election Commission of India, on March 27, the Community informed its decision to exercise their constitutional and legal right to boycott the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
“This decision does not come lightly, but as a culmination of their disillusionment and lack of trust in the current administrations, both at the national and state levels,” stated the community. 18 signatories representing the Global Kuki-Zomi-Hmar Women community of Manipur, “a community that has long been an integral part of the rich cultural mosaic of India”, stated
That
The crux of their decision stems from the following unresolved issues:
1. Pogrom and Injustice: The absence of justice for the ethnic cleansing that has resulted in the displacement of over 41,425 Kuki-Zomi-Hmar from Imphal, along with the lack of prosecution for the rape and murder of more than 20 Kuki-Zomi-Hmar women, and 167 confirmed deaths in total thus far has perpetuated an environment where impunity prevails.
2. Destruction of Homes and Places of Worship: The extensive destruction inflicted upon our community, with 7,000+ houses destroyed, 200+ villages and 360+ churches and synagogues burnt – including a Torah scroll, 188 churches vandalized, and over 858 vehicles destroyed, speaks volumes about the scale of the conflict and the lack of effective remedial action.
3. Looted Arms and Unabated Violence: The failure of the Government of India to address the looting of arms from police armories by the Arambai Tenggols has had devastating consequences. These arms are wielded against innocent Kuki-Zomi-Hmars, perpetuating a climate of fear and violence that undermines any sense of security and peace.
4. Lack of Rebuilding, Rehabilitation and Humanitarian Aid: The lack of essential support for over 41,425 displaced Kuki-Zomi-Hmar people demonstrates a neglect of the humanitarian conditions and dignity of our people.
5. Educational Deprivation: The irredeemable disruption of education for Kuki-Zomi-Hmar students signals a grave oversight of the rights and futures of the youngest and brightest members of our community.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
6. Absence of Political Dialogue: The government’s persistent avoidance of political negotiations with Kuki-Zomi-Hmar leaders disregards the democratic principle of dialogue, mutual respect, and the resolution of disputes through peaceful means.
7. Ignored Demand for Separate Administration: The continued negligence of our demand for a separate administration under the Indian constitution disregards the distinct cultural identity and governance needs of our community. The ground reality clearly suggests that the separation of the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar people from the Meitei community is total and complete. We only need the administrative mechanism to follow suit to enable us to live in peace with our neighbors.
8. Discrimination and Disenfranchisement of IDPs outside Manipur: There are no special arrangements made for internally displaced persons (IDPs) outside the state of Manipur to exercise their right to vote. This discriminatory treatment is a denial of their constitutional rights that are tantamount to their disenfranchisement which will be a blot on the credibility of the democratic process in India.
According to the community, the mentioned concerns highlight a pattern of neglect and unwillingness on the part of the Government of India to engage with the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar people constructively. “Participating in the upcoming elections, under these circumstances, would only serve to legitimize and normalize the continued marginalization and suffering of our community. We cannot idly stand by while our most basic human rights remain violated with no hope for any redressal,” mentioned the letter.
Declaring their boycott, the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar women, asserted that the decision is a call for urgent and sincere engagement from the government with their community to address grievances and work towards a just and equitable solution.
