Churachandpur, January 28: Thousands of students staged a massive and peaceful rally in Churachandpur on Wednesday, opposing any move to form a popularly elected government in Manipur without a prior political settlement to the ongoing crisis.
The rally was jointly organised by student bodies including the Joint Students’ Body of Churachandpur, Zomi Students Federation, Kuki Students’ Organisation, and the Hmar Students Association. Held under the theme “We Want Political Solution, Not Popular Government,” the rally saw participation from thousands of school and college students.
The protest began at Lamka Public Ground around 10.40 am and proceeded through the main town before culminating near Wall of Remembrance and Peace Ground at Tuibong, close to the district administrative complex.
During the rally, students carried placards and raised slogans such as “We Want Political Solution, Not Popular Government,” “Justice Precedes Peace,” “Justice First, Power Later,” “No Solution, No Popular Government,” and “Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied.” Protesters stressed that justice and a political roadmap must come before any attempt to restore electoral politics.
Student leader Samuel Taithul said the agitation was driven by frustration over what he described as the Centre’s focus on restoring normalcy and forming a popular government rather than initiating meaningful dialogue for a political solution. He said the crisis, which began in May 2023, has resulted in large-scale displacement, breakdown of civil administration in affected areas, and thousands of people continuing to live in relief camps.
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As part of the programme, the organisers submitted a memorandum addressed to Narendra Modi through the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur, Seiminthang. The memorandum called for a structured and time-bound political process to address the root causes of the crisis, ensure justice and rehabilitation of displaced persons, and defer the installation of a popular government until a meaningful political settlement guaranteeing peace and justice is achieved.
The protest concluded peacefully with no untoward incidents reported. This marked the second major rally in Churachandpur within the past ten days. Earlier, the Kuki Zo Council (KZC), backed by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), had organised a public rally demanding an expedited political settlement for the Kuki-Zo people, including their demand for a Union Territory with Legislature. Kuki-Zo groups have stated that participation in a popular government would be considered only after clear political commitment towards a settlement, setting 2027 as the outer deadline.
