Kuki Inpi rebuts continuous unsubstantiated allegations by Meitei groups

The Kuki Inpi Manipur, or the KIM, expressed vehement objection over the alleged relentless and unfounded allegations made against them by the Meitei Resurgence Forum, or the need, where it accused KIM of disseminating false information regarding the origins of the ongoing ethnic violence in the state.

The Kuki top body stated that the root cause of the May 3 mayhem in Manipur is the mindless prejudice and illegitimate predilection for the persecution of the Kuki-Zo people by the Meiteis-led Manipur state leadership - the adoption of chauvinistic policies, the discrimination, oppression, and alienation of the Kuki-Zo people and the subsequent radicalisation and militarisation of the Meiteis chiefly under organisations as the Arambai Tenggol and Meetei Leepun.

It also stated that the MReF has boldly claimed that the ongoing violence in Manipur started with aggressive attacks by members of the Kuki community while clarifying that this accusation is completely unfounded and made it crystal clear that Meitei radical groups began harassing and mistreating the Kuki-Zo people since May 2 under the guise of counter- blockade; while the immediate trigger for the conflict was the killing of Pastor Sehkhohao Kipgen in Kangvai by Meitei radicals on the evening of May 3, followed by the burning of houses and properties belonging to the Kukis in Kangvai in Churachandpur (Lamka) District and Kuki settlements in the Imphal Valley.

"These continuous and unsubstantiated allegations by various Meitei radicalised groups is a desperate attempt to conceal the truth about the state-sponsored, pre-planned ethnic cleansing against the Kukis", KIM stated.

It further stated that the gross injustice and human rights violations against the Kukis by the Meitei radicalised groups, including the Meitei State Forces, Valley Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs), Meetei Leepun and Arambai Tenggol will go down in the history of India as one of the worst humanitarian crises in the 21st century, and as one of the greatest threats to the democratic system of the country.

KIM then advised all concerned to not be misled by the baseless allegations against the Kuki community and the Kuki Inpi Manipur and its cognate civil bodies by the radicalised Meitei groups.

Furthermore, the Kuki Inpi Manipur encouraged any fact-finding team to restore justice, peace and integrity for the Kukis as well as to promptly address the gross human rights violations on both sides due to the ongoing state-sponsored and pre-planned ethnic cleansing against the Kukis.