Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal decries "state-sponsored genocide" campaign; clarifies on wild allegation against Moreh youth leader

The Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal has expressed its deep concern about the Meitei-led state government which is openly calling out and instigating the state police commandos and its radicalised armed groups to annihilate the Kuki-Zo Indian tribes.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Kuki apex body decried the unwarranted deployment of the Police commandos in Moreh hill town and the ensuing destruction and affliction to the public resulting in serious physical, mental and emotional impact on the common men, women and children, thereby threatening their safety and security.

"This senseless and outrageous attacks on the lives and properties of the indigenous Kuki-Zo inhabitants have proven again the terrorist nature of the state leadership to further its 'genocide' campaign on the Kuki-Zo tribes," KIT said.

The Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal also expressed its profound gratitude to the 5 Assam Rifles and all the Central Security Forces for relentlessly fighting to prevent human casualties and also maintaining law and order in Tengnoupal district. The Assam Rifles as the oldest and one of the most decorated Para-Military Forces has shown great sympathy and exemplary actions again in this conflict which we believe will never go in vain, it said.

The KIT appealed the law enforcing agencies including all the Security Forces to understand the sentiment of the tribals who are threatened and victimised in their own land.

Meanwhile, in response to the wild allegations levelled on its member and the President of Moreh Youth Club (MYC), Mr Philip K Khongsai, a resident of New Moreh of Moreh Town, by one S Ahongsngbm in connection with the death of SDPO Moreh, Mr Chingtham Anand Kumar, the Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal said the allegation against Philip Khongsai was baseless and uncalled for as he as nothing to do with the incident.

After a fact checking, KIT said, it is found that an individual who operates a Facebook account by the name of S Ahongsngbam first uploaded a post saying "Chingtham Anand Kumar was killed by Philip Khongsai with a sniper shot." The samne was also published by some vernacular newspapers blindly. The Facebook account operator also uploaded Mr Khongsai and his family photos. The said Facebook account - A Ahongsngbm was created on July 22, 2014 with user name Surajit A Singha who had his user name changed seven times between July 22, 2014 and May 19, 2022 finally in the name of A S Singha.

The said Facebook account owner had been uploading many hate speeches/comments against the Kuki-Zo people. It is crystal clear that the facebook account operator had evil motives to tarnish the image of KIT and the Kuki-Zo tribes of Tengnoupal, it said.

Mr Philip Khongsai is an Indian Army veteran, who proudly served his country for over 20 years in the Assam Regiment. Post retirement, Mr Khongsai devoted most of his time to create a drug-free society and healthy living among the youths of Moreh through games and sports. He is also an invaluable member of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Association Tengnoupal district (ESWAT).

KIT asked: "On what basis the said Facebook account operator accused its member, also a Retired Indian Army over the unfortunate incident of SDPO Moreh without any proof? Was it a deliberate gameplan to tarnish the image of Philip K Khongsai and KIT?"

It clarified that the allegations against Mr Philip Khongsai is baseless and uncalled for as he has nothing to do with the incident.