Kuki Top Bodies Call 12-Hour Total Shutdown in protest against arbitrary arrest of Kuki Village Volunteers

In protest against the gross injustice meted out the Kuki people, the Kuki Inpi Manipur, apex body of Kuki Tribes, has called a 12-hour total shutdown in all Kuki-Zo inhabited hill districts with effect from 6:00 AM of July 10, 2024 till 6:00 PM in the evening.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Kuki Inpi stated that amidst the brutal persecution of the Kuki-Zo people by the Manipur state government, the deployment of the Central Security Forces in vulnerable areas initially provided a sense of safety and security for the Kuki-Zo people. However, the recent arrest of five Kuki-Zo individuals, in the presence of Central Security Forces, is critically alarming for the Kuki-Zo people, it said.

"While the Valley Based Militant Groups (VBIGs) are openly brandishing sophisticated arms and ammunitions in the valley, the indiscriminate terrorising of the Kuki-Zo people and subsequent arrest of five individuals is a threat that belies all hopes for safety and security for the minority Kuki-Zo people who have been fully cooperative with law enforcement efforts," said Janghaolun Haokip, Information and Publicity, Kuki Inpi Manipur.

"The ugly turn of events is deeply unfortunate and poses a significant security threat for the Kuki-Zo people. To that regard, the Kuki Inpi, in its Emergency Meeting today had resolved to call a 12-Hours (6:00 A.M. -6:00 P.M.) Total Shutdown in all Kuki-Zo dominated regions on 10/07/2024 (Wednesday) to protest against the gross injustice meted out to our people," he added.

The Kuki apex body also urged all Kuki-Zo regional organisations to strictly abide by this resolve to express solidarity for the common cause of their people - the fight against the unlawful oppression, subjugation and persecution of their people and their legitimate demand for Union Territory with Legislature for the Kuki-Zo people.

The Kuki Inpi further stated its resolute resolve to issue a clarion call to all the Kuki-Zo people to fight against the gross injustices if the issue of this indiscriminate arrest further evolve against the common wishes and desires of the Kuki-Zo people.

The Kuki Chief Association, Manipur (KCA-M), also vehemently condemned the attack by security forces on the residence of Mr. Tonghen Haokip, Chief of L Hengjol village, Kangpokpi district on 9th July 2024.

"The arbitrary firing by the security forces, intended to completely annihilate the Chief and his family, and the damage caused to the house and properties in the attack, is irreparable," said the statement issued on Tuesday.

The security forces captured three Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers and five women, namely Kikim, Lamshi Baite, Lamshi Haokip, Hahat, and Tinnu, who came to protest the arrest of the village volunteers. They were assaulted and injured.

The Kuki Chief Association Manipur also expressed its disappointment of the indifferent attitude of the security forces towards the Kuki-Zo people. "While Meitei militants and Arambai Tenggol militias roam freely with arms in and around Imphal valley, the Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers, who defend helpless villagers and their lands from the Meitei militias' onslaught, were hunted and arrested by the security forces," it said.

The Kuki Chiefs Association further accused that the communal Chief Minister and Security Forces failed to acknowledge the self- styled Chief Commander of Arambai Tenggol, Mr. Korounganba Khuman, who was seen chanting war cries with illegal automatic rifles slung over his shoulder at Palace Gate in the heart of Imphal on November 1, 2023.

He was seen motivating his fully armed comrades to target Kuki-Zo tribals. When Imphal East police intervened at Palace Gate, the group fired at the police, overwhelmed them, and proceeded towards Imphal West in numerous vehicles. The NIA has registered a case against Mr. Khuman in connection with this incident, which is under investigation. Despite these facts, the Chief Minister and the security forces have allowed Mr. Khuman and his militias to remain at large to this day, it alleged.

The Kuki Chiefs appealed to both the Central Security forces and the State Security forces to operate tactfully without bias, considering the intensity of the current conflict in the state.  The Chiefs warned that if such atrocities, with utter disregard for Kuki Chiefs and innocent villagers by security forces continue, they would no longer remain silent spectators.

The Kuki Inpi Chandel, Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal and various Kuki civil society organisations have also announced their support and endorsement of the 12-hour Total Shutdown in their respective jurisdictions.