Having grown up in Manipur herself, Hangzo is deeply connected to the region, and the plight of her family has motivated her to take a leading role in raising awareness about the persecution of the Kuki community, to which she and most of her family belong
Niang Hangzo, Vice President of the North American Manipur Tribal Association, joined fellow activists in a protest held on July 30, 2023, in Fremont, California, to draw attention to the ongoing mob violence in Manipur, a northeastern state in India.
The violence, which erupted on May 3, has led to devastating consequences, with at least 150 fatalities and over 60,000 people displaced, as reported by the International Crisis Group.
Among those displaced are Hangzo’s 86-year-old mother, six of her siblings, and several cousins, who have sought refuge more than 1,500 miles away in Delhi.
Having grown up in Manipur herself, Hangzo is deeply connected to the region, and the plight of her family has motivated her to take a leading role in raising awareness about the persecution of the Kuki community, to which she and most of her family belong. “The Kuki, also known as Kuki-Zomi or Kuki-Zo, have faced severe hardships, including the burning of their church, prompting them to flee for their lives with just the clothes on their backs,” she told KQED.
Thanks to the support of compassionate individuals Hangzo refers to as “angels,” her family managed to escape the region and find refuge in Delhi. However, they were forced to leave their homes and possessions behind. Despite these challenges, Hangzo considers herself fortunate that her family members survived the violence.
The Indian communities in the Bay Area, including Muslims, Sikhs, and Dalits, have united to pressure congressional leaders to take action and address the ongoing violence and persecution in Manipur. The rallying cry for justice and human rights has resonated deeply within the diaspora, and these efforts have helped bring the situation to international attention
In response to the crisis in Manipur, Hangzo co-founded the North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA), a nationwide organization dedicated to raising awareness about the hill tribes of Manipur in the United States. The association took proactive measures, writing letters to President Joe Biden, urging him to address the issue during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June. NAMTA also collaborated with other Indian American organizations, including the Indian American Muslim Council, Hindus for Human Rights, and Indian Christian groups, to garner more support for their cause.
The Bay Area Indian diaspora has been deeply affected by the violence in Manipur, leading to various demonstrations, hunger strikes, and educational Zoom meetings to spotlight the plight of the Kuki community. Pieter Friedrich and Shan Sankaran staged a hunger strike to protest the treatment of the Kuki, with Friedrich concluding his fast after nine days at the request of NAMTA and the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations.
Hangzo, along with other concerned individuals, continuously monitors news and messages to stay updated on the situation in Manipur. Despite the challenges, her determination remains strong, and she plans to visit India in December to explore further ways to support her family and the affected community.
The Indian communities in the Bay Area, including Muslims, Sikhs, and Dalits, have united to pressure congressional leaders to take action and address the ongoing violence and persecution in Manipur. The rallying cry for justice and human rights has resonated deeply within the diaspora, and these efforts have helped bring the situation to international attention.
As Hangzo and fellow activists persist in their advocacy and awareness-raising endeavors, they hope that their collective efforts will lead to positive change and support for the suffering communities in Manipur. Their unwavering commitment reflects a shared reality that transcends geographical boundaries and emphasizes the need to stand in solidarity with those facing turmoil and uncertainty.
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