KIM condemns COCOMI's War Declaration; Submits representation to MHA

Taking strong exception to the COCOMI's "declaration of national war against the Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists" in its public meeting held on 6th June, 2023, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) stated that such an outright public declaration against the Kukis was abhorrent and highly uncalled-for which deserved denunciation by every right-thinking individual across India.

"As citizens of free India who have immense contributions and sacrifices during India's freedom struggle by joining the INA, such an outright public declaration against the Kukis is abhorrent and highly uncalled-for which deserves denunciation by every right-thinking individual across India," KIM stated in its press condemnation today.

KIM stated that indeed, the unabated atrocious violence perpetrated by the Meiteis upon the Kukis in total defiance of the Union Home Minister's call for restraint and peace was a vilification to the MHA, Govt. of India and a serious threat to the national security of India as a whole.

Subsequently, KIM said, on June 9, 2023 at around 4:30 AM. 2 (two) Kuki villages in Kangpokpi district, Khoken and Saheibung came under heavy attacks by the combined terror team of communal State forces - police commandos, IRB personnel and the radicalised Meitei militias, the Arambai Tenggol and the Meitei Leepun (the axis of evil). In this dastardly attack, 3 (three) villagers including a woman were killed while many others sustained bullet injuries.

"The clarion call of the 'axis of evil' is to annihilate the Kukis at all cost," KIM stated.

In this critical juncture where the very existence of the Kukis as a people is being threatened, KIM said, it is prudent on the part of the government of India to intervene promptly for the safety and security of the Kuki people.

In this regard, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) also submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, highlighting the plight of Kukis and more imminent threats that were looming over the them, even after undergoing agonizing ordeals in Imphal valley and despite Amit Shah's peace initiative when he personally visited the conflict torn Manipur last month.

KIM said the Kukis not only faced State sponsored terrorism acts at various frontlines areas bordering Meiteis territory and the aftermath of the ethnic cleansing campaign in Manipur valley, the Kuki people were also facing direct and open threats from the Meiteis yet again.

The well- calculated and systematic suppression, oppression, threats, and all atrocities on the Kuki people physically and mentally have once again demonstrated the urgent need for total separation from Manipur for a long- lasting peace to prevail in the region and settle the problem once and for all.

The COCOMI has openly declared Manipuri National war on Chin-Kuki Narco-terrorists' as decided in the people's convention organized by them on 7 June 2023. The Meitei Leepun chief has warned of delivering a powerful "blow' to the Kuki which we cannot even defend and wipe out the whole Kuki tribal population soon. We are now facing the real existential threat from neighbouring Meiteis which categorically rejects the idea of 'living together again," KIM stated.

Since the time when the hatred and enmity between the Kuki people and Meiteis were building up till today when these hate campaigns culminated in a pogrom, the Meiteis have tried hard to give appropriate names about their genocidal killings on Kuki to suit their narratives and agenda. They give all sorts of names such as 'illegal immigrants.' 'outsiders.' tenants,' poppy planters," "forest encroachers, terrorists," "drugs dealers,' and whatnots to us. They now coined a new term 'NARCO-TERRORISTS' to give to the Kuki people. In doing so, their communal agenda becomes quite evident, the Kuki Apex Body stated.

KIM also stated that the Meitei CSOs coined the term 'narco-terrorists' in their frantic attempt to garner support; justify and project the pogrom to suit their majoritarian agenda. It has become clearer now that the ethnic cleansing on Kuki people in Imphal valley is funded by 'narco-terrorists' who are very powerful and other who are close to power.

KIM stated that while it also supported such war on 'narco-terrorists, cutting across communal divides, particularly the kingpins, the COCOMI chose to add a communal colour to their "War' by dragging the name "Chin-Kuki," and asked why the COCOMI did not declare war on 'Meitei Narco-Terrorists' or other communities. This showed their hypocrisy and their open dislike of the Kuki tribal community.

The fear and apprehension to live together again with the Meiteis are real and irrefutable, KIM stated and placed, once again, before the Union Home Minister for expediting total separation from the communal Meitei people at the earliest so that the Kukis protect ourselves against the continued onslaught of their neighbouring community.

KIM also urged Amit Shah to initiate steps to outlaw the COCOMI who openly incited communal passion.