Imphal- The Village Volunteers Coordinating Committee (VVCC), representing Kuki-Zo community volunteers in Manipur, has expressed willingness to lay down their arms if their four-point demands are addressed by the Central government. In a statement issued Wednesday, the committee called for immediate action to restore peace and security in the conflict-ridden state.

According to the VVCC, members of the Kuki-Zo community have been subjected to "relentless attacks from state-sponsored militia groups and other outfits" since violence erupted on May 3, 2023. They claim this lack of government protection forced them to arm themselves in self-defense.

In response to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's appeal for surrendering illegal weapons, the VVCC outlined four specific demands they consider essential for lasting peace:

1. A separate administration (Union Territory with legislative powers) for Kuki-Zo tribal-inhabited areas

2. Withdrawal of Manipur Police from Kuki-Zo inhabited areas

3. Complete surrender of weapons looted by Meitei groups

4. Legal protection for Kuki-Zo village volunteers

The committee emphasized that "the stark divide between the Hill districts and the Valley communities has made peaceful coexistence unattainable." They maintained that the Kuki-Zo people remain committed to peaceful resolution and pose no threat to national security.

The VVCC also stated that the disarmament process should involve direct discussions without third-party intervention, expressing readiness to "implement these measures and work toward lasting peace."