G Kipgen, a protestor in the Kangpokpi rally, said, “The demonstration is being held to press our demand for a union territory for the Kuki Zo people.””We also protest against the viral audio clips in which objectionable comments were made,” another protester said.The Manipur government had said that the audio clips, falsely claiming to be the voice of the chief minister, were released on social media in an attempt to derail peace initiatives in the ethnic violence-affected state.The government had claimed that the audio tapes were “doctored” and the state police were conducting an investigation into the matter.Another protest march was also held in the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh, demanding a separate administration.In an interview with PTI, the chief minister emphatically rejected the demand by Kuki groups for a separate administration, presenting himself as a champion of the state’s interest and one who will not allow its identity to be diluted.This was the first unequivocal rejection of the demand by Kukis.
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