The State-sponsored ethnic cleansing of the Zo kindred tribes in Manipur has compelled us to seek a Separate Administration as the only logical consequence. While we extend our fullest solidarity, support and cooperation to Zo United, as well as all the Zo civil society organizations (CSOs) working towards the fulfillment of the Separate Administration goal, the Zomi Council Steering Committee (ZCSC) is equally concerned at the recent developments whereby some sections attempted to use the Zo United platform to propagate their exclusive ideas.
The emerging circumstances compelled us to state our position on the following issues:- On Identity/Nomenclature Issue: i) Pu Zo is our progenitor, and his descendants are understandably called Zosuan/Zonahthlak/Zofate or Zo people (Zo+Mi=Zomi). We did have names given to us by others (Kuki, Chin or Lushai/Lusei) as well as indigenous names (Zomi and Mizo, due to issues of prefix and suffix) by which we called ourselves. Later on, when the colonial administrator realized that we were of the same people, they used hyphenated names like Kuki-Chin, Kuki-Lushai or Kuki-Chin-Lushai, etc.
ii) Post May 3, 2023 the term ‘Kuki-Zo’ emerged and has been extensively used by some sections while addressing the Zo people. This is exclusive as it means only the Kukis among the Zo descendants (similar to using the term ‘Hmar-Zo’ to refer exclusively to the Hmars among the Zo people and so forth).
iii) The Kuki-Zomi Peace Accord, 1998 specifically stated that nomenclature should be mutually respected and it should not be imposed upon an individual or group against his/their will at any point in time. This was unanimously reaffirmed by the Joint Meeting of UPF and KNO on June 29, 2018 at VTE Rengkai and on August 22, 2022 at Life Café, Rengkai Road, Lamka. Thus, the use of Kuki-Zo will be considered as an abrogation of the above Peace Agreement and subsequent Joint Meeting Resolutions of UPF and KNO, and an attempt to impose Kuki terminology, directly or indirectly, upon others.
iv) Since identity/nomenclature is a very sensitive issue, the Zomi Council as well as the ZCSC advocated for mutual respect of all existing Names while fighting for our collective survival. If the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo tribes could co-exist harmoniously in Meghalaya (a name given by the Government of India) State, why not the Zo descendants? v) Zo United is an inclusive term as it means a Union of the Zo descendants. While addressing the people verbally or in written forms, the Zo people or the Zo tribes would be the most appropriate, logical, inclusive and non-communal terminology. On the Movement for Separate Administration:
i) God has physically separated us from those who intend to annihilate us. His divine intervention is our strength, hope, and the only authority that can give us Separate Administration. Our primary objective should be achieving a Separate Administration designed by God, for His glory and the extension of His kingdom.
ii) We should focus on our collective goal rather than internalizing the conflicts. If a common Name, Central Command or United platform is not forthcoming at this stage, we should learn to give Collective efforts as Alliance partners based on mutual respect.
iii) All pre-May 3, 2023 attitudes, parochial mindsets, and any forms of immoral behaviours and practices should be forsaken in the interest of our collective survival.
The ZCSC on Separate Administration was formed on July 22, 2023 by the Zomi leaders to co-ordinate the Movement within the Zomi tribes and liaise with all organizations working towards Separate Administration for the Zo people.
We extend our solidarity and support to all CSOs working for Separate Administration without interfering in their internal functioning and expect others to reciprocate. We hope and pray that God gives wisdom, health and strength to Zo United leadership so that the movement is sustained inclusively until a separate administration for the Zo kindred tribes is achieved.
Information & Publicity Department
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ZCSC PRESS RELEASE
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