KOHUR Condemns Selective Attention to Violence Victims, Demands Equal Focus on Kuki-Zo Victims

The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has strongly condemned the killing of six Meitei women and children by armed miscreants in Jiribam district, Manipur, calling it a heinous act that must be condemned by all, regardless of ethnicity or religion. In a statement issued today, KOHUR expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives, while also reiterating its commitment to avoid targeting civilians, even amidst the ongoing conflict in the region.

The statement emphasized the need for impartial investigation into the recent killings and demanded accountability from the law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice. “We beseech the authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible for this brutal attack,” said KOHUR in its statement.

However, the organization also highlighted what it termed as a troubling pattern of media and government attention, claiming that focus is disproportionately placed on the deaths of Meitei civilians while other equally tragic events have been overlooked. KOHUR drew attention to the deaths of Kuki-Zo women and children, some of whom had been subjected to extreme violence, including burning, mutilation, and sexual violence. "These atrocities against Kuki-Zo civilians have occurred countless times over the last 18 months, yet they remain largely unreported and ignored," KOHUR said, referencing cases such as the brutal killing of a one-month-old infant, Baby Issac, and the violent deaths of other women and children.

The statement went on to list several incidents of violence against Kuki-Zo civilians, including the murder of Tonsing, a seven-year-old boy burned alive inside an ambulance, and the gang-rape and killing of two women, Ms. Olivia and Ms. Florence. In total, KOHUR asserts that over 50 Kuki-Zo women and children have been killed; many of whose bodies have never been recovered. The organization called for an urgent and impartial investigation into these crimes, which it believes have been overlooked by both the media and authorities.

KOHUR also pointed to the violent actions of the Meitei community, claiming that the initial violence in Jiribam was sparked by the rape, murder, and mutilation of a Kuki-Zo woman, Zosangkim. The organization described her death in graphic detail, alleging that her body was subjected to horrific violence. In the aftermath, KOHUR claims, ten Kuki-Zo volunteers were shot dead by CRPF personnel, allegedly gunned down in cold blood.

“While the media’s attention is fixed on the recent killings of Meitei civilians, we must also remember the ongoing suffering of the Kuki-Zo people. One such case is the recent murder of Haojoel, a Kuki man, who was killed and mutilated in Assam while visiting his pregnant wife in a shelter camp. His death, like so many others, deserves justice,” KOHUR stated.

The organization also raised concerns about the role of Chief Minister Biren Singh in the violence that has plagued the region. KOHUR questioned why conflicts seem to escalate whenever Singh’s political issues are brought before the Supreme Court, suggesting that his quest to maintain power may be fueling the violence and leading to the loss of both Meitei and Kuki-Zo lives.

"How many more lives must be lost for the power structures in Delhi and Imphal to take meaningful action?" KOHUR’s statement concluded. "We urge every right-thinking Indian to demand justice, and for the authorities to treat all victims equally, regardless of their ethnic background." The organization called for an end to the cycle of violence and for all human rights violations, irrespective of ethnicity, to be investigated and addressed fairly.