The Research and Preservation of Zo Identities (RPZI), which is spearheading the protest against the Chivu Chandrakirti Park, calling it as distortion of Zo historical fact, on Thursday organised a sit-in protest at Hiangtam Lamka Public Ground, Churachandpur.
RPZI also decided to observe October 14, 2022, the day when CM Biren will inaugurate the Chivu Chandrakirti Park, as a 'Day of Mourning' and called on the people to display black flags or wear black shirts in public.
The protesters displayed banner like “We demand the original name Chivu”, ''Respect and maintain the Treaty of Sanjenthong (1873)”, “Yes to Chivu, No to Chandrakirti”, “Don’t build park on the basis of wrong history”, etc.
They then submitted a memorandum to CM Biren through the DC of Churachandpur with the subject: Appeal to correct the distorted history written in Chivu Stone inscription and to name the park as Chivu Park without any controversial name.
RPZI chairman Ginza Vualzong and other speakers highlighted the distortion of history claiming that there was no record of 4 (four) Lushai Chiefs and the subjugation of 112 villages stating that there were no 112 villages in 1872. Chandrakirti never set foot at Chivu but the fact is that the tribal head, Chief or Raja Goukhothang, was treacherously captured at Chivu and later died in the hands of Chandrakirti at Imphal Jail, they stated.
However, there appears to be mixed reactions from the people of Zo Descendent in the district as the Zomi Council, the apex body of 9 Zomi Tribes, had written in support of the RPZI's Chivu cause while 13 Chiefs of the area, including the UZO and present MLA Singing, had appreciated and welcomed the Chivu Chandrakirti Park, believing that it will bring various developments in the area.
Our Bureau adds:
Meanwhile chiefs and chairmen of village authorities of the Behiang area had on Tuesday conveyed gratitude to Chief Minister N Biren Singh for bringing development projects to the Indo-Myanmar border at Behiang.
A statement jointly issued by the chiefs and chairmen of village authorities of the Behiang area stated that the villagers welcome the news of the upcoming inauguration of the Chivu-Chandrakirti Park and the planned construction of the Southern Manipur Cultural Heritage Centre.
This border area is in dire need of such developmental projects as it has the potential for the development of ecological and cultural tourism besides future trading hubs which would economically benefit the local populaces, it stated.
It also appealed to the CM to initiate more similar projects in the Behiang area to facilitate sustainable livelihoods for the people which would go a long way in realising equal development in the corners of Manipur.
