Kuki Human Rights Organisation Condemns Manipur Governor for Meeting with Persons booked under UAPA

The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has strongly condemned Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for holding a meeting with Korounganba Khuman and Robin Mangang, the self-style leaders of Arambai Tenggol, an armed extremist group responsible for mass violence, ethnic persecution, and destabilization in Manipur.

A member of UN Special Consultative status Since 2016, KOHUR questioned genuine concerns of Raj Bhavan for meeting with alleged criminals being investigated by the National Investigation Agency.

"How can a constitutional authority justify engaging with a group that has openly terrorized the Kuki-Zo community, looted state armories, burned churches, and forced elected Meitei legislators into submission at Kangla Fort?," it asked.

In a press statement issued on February 25, Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust alleged that members of the Arambai Tenggol have repeatedly defied India's rule of law; yet instead of condemnation, its leaders were being politically accommodated. "Is the Governor now endorsing their secessionist and violent agenda?"

With hope that the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur would lead to the arrest of a criminal armed militia like Arambai Tenggol, which was all along protected by the former Chief Minister, KOHUR, however, expressed its utter dismay for the Governor's action in engaging with Arambai Tenggol leaders, instead of being prosecuted.

It asked: "How can an organization against which the NIA has filed a case under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) be legitimized in such a manner? This is not just appeasement it is a betrayal of the very principles of justice and governance."

"The Kuki-Zo people are outraged by this blatant accommodation of a radical militia that has waged a campaign of terror against minorities in Manipur. What message does this send to the victims of Arambai Tenggol's atrocities?"

"While the state machinery continues to vilify Kuki-Zo leaders, an organization with a documented history of ethnic violence is being given legitimacy at Raj Bhavan," it added.

KOHUR has demanded an immediate explanation from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and called upon the Government of India to clarify whether engaging with extremists now constitutes official policy.

It cautioned that the Kuki-Zo community would not remain silent while those responsible for their persecution were treated as political stakeholders.