Several major civil society groups in Sadar Hills have announced that they will stay away from the official reception being planned for the President of India in Senapati on December 12. The groups say the President’s visit does not recognise the long humanitarian crisis that continues to affect thousands of Kuki-Zo families who were displaced during the violence in Manipur.
In a joint statement, Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills (KISH), Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills Chiefs Association (SAHILCA), Thadou-Inpi Sadar Hills and representatives of Kuki-Zo internally displaced persons said the President’s programme makes “no mention” of visiting or meeting families still living in relief camps. They said this silence has caused deep disappointment among the affected communities.
The organisations said the people of Sadar Hills had hoped that the President’s visit would bring national attention to the hardship and uncertainty faced by displaced families. According to them, many continue to live in temporary shelters with limited access to proper healthcare, education and livelihood. They added that the crisis has continued for months without any clear roadmap for rehabilitation and long-term security. 
The civil bodies also said that they are not against the visit itself, but they want the highest office of the country to see and understand what they called a “very real humanitarian emergency.” They said the families who lost homes and livelihoods have been waiting for a gesture of concern and assurance from the central leadership.
By refusing to join the reception, the groups hope to draw attention to what they describe as the “unfinished work of peace and justice” in Manipur. They said the crisis cannot be ignored during such an important visit and urged authorities to include a direct interaction with displaced communities in the programme.
The organisations added that until their concerns are acknowledged, they will continue to highlight the struggles faced by Kuki-Zo families who remain away from their homes. They also appealed to the wider public to understand that their decision is an effort to make the voices of the most affected people heard.
