ITLF Presidential Council, in consultation with its constituent member tribes, has agreed that no member from the Kuki-Zo community.....
Digital desk: In the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha Constituency, Kuki youth and volunteers has declared that it will not participate in the next 18th Lok Sabha Elections in 2024. Furthermore, Kuki Mothers, another faction of the tribal body have announced their decision to boycott the elections.
This decision was made the day after the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) Presidential Council decided that no Kuki-Zo community member should run for office in the next Lok Sabha Election 2024 following talks with the tribes that make up the forum. In view of the community's current struggles, this decision has been made.
While declining to run for the Outer Manipur Member of Parliament seat, the council nevertheless strongly encourages every member of the community to use their democratic right to vote in the election.
"ITLF Presidential Council, in consultation with its constituent member tribes, has agreed that no member from the Kuki-Zo community should file a nomination for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election, considering the plight that we are facing," the press release reads.
Following their claims of unresolved grievances and injustices that the Kuki tribes have experienced, particularly in light of the violent episodes on May 3, 2023, "Young Kuki," a group that represents Kuki youth, made the decision to boycott the polls.
The Young Kuki faction in their press note stated, "The Kuki tribes continue to endure violence, oppression, and neglect from state authorities. The issues driving this decision include persistent violence and impunity, devastation and displacement of over 41,425 individuals, unchecked weapons violence, insufficient aid for displaced Kukis, unredressed crimes against Kuki women, and defamation by state officials. The Youth Kuki faction is urging the Government of India to address these issues. The boycott serves as a plea for attention to the community's plight. The Youth Kuki faction remains committed to constructive dialogue and urges the Government of India to engage in meaningful discussions to resolve these concerns."
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