Kuki-Zo Holds Massive Protests Over Alleged Gross Injustice as L. Hengjol Incident Sparks Widespread Condemnation

The Kuki-Zo community organized a massive Sit-in-Protest in their respective dominated areas across the hills, alongside enforcing a 12-hour total shutdown from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today. The protest was held under the aegis of Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribes against the alleged gross injustice and atrocities of security forces.

In Kangpokpi, the Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills (KISH) endorsing the Kuki Inpi Manipur's emergency meeting resolution yesterday, organized a massive Sit-in-Protest at Vengpi in Keithelmanbi Military Colony protesting the alleged gross injustice and atrocities meted out to the Kuki-Zo people.

All vehicular movements, schools and business establishments remain closed except essential services and other emergency services which are exempted from the purview of the total shutdown.

The protestors chanted slogans, "Arrest Injustice Not the Kukis", "I am Indian Not Terrorist", "Arrest The Oppressors, Not the Victims", "Grant us Union Territory", etc. with placards on their hands.

Thangminlen Kipgen, President of Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills(KISH) said that today's protest aims to convey a message to the central Government that we do not appreciate the "selective targeted" by the central security forces towards the Kuki-Zo volunteers while the Meitei radical group like the Arambai Tenggol members and its top leaders are roaming freely with sophisticated weapons in the valley in front of the central forces despite arrest warrants issued to them.

He also said that the Kuki Inpi's protest is also a message to our village volunteers that the Kuki-Zo people stand always behind them and ensure that no partial or targeted arrest by central agencies do not occur in future.

He also said that the protest would intensify if such targeted arrests continue.

According to the Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, three Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers were apprehended by the central forces on July 9 morning at L. Hengjol village and in the process, the central forces brutally attack the residence of the village chief, destroying properties and the house of the village chief while sustaining injuries to several Kuki-Zo women.

The Kuki Inpi also considered the alleged aggression and unprovoked assault on Kuki-Zo community members, regardless of their gender and age, a blatant violation of human rights and an affront to the principles of justice and humanity.

It also stated that the Kuki tribes hold the chief as the highest authority, thus, the indiscriminate firing of more than 150 live rounds with the intent to kill any one inside without taking into consideration who was present at the residence of the Chief of L. Hengjang village is deplorable and condemnable at the highest term and it is an act of subjugation of the highest authority of the Kuki Tribes, i.e. Chieftainship, and an act of total disregard for innocent civillian lives.

The Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills urged the Central forces and NIA to act justly, as the NIA has issued an FIR against Korounganba Khuman, Commander of Arambai Tenggol but have not act on that while the Innocent Kuki civillians and the Kuki village volunteers are arrested without any warrants.

A similar protest was also held in other Kuki-Zo dominated regions in Sadar Hills including the Leimakhong area, Saikul, Motbung, Hengbung, etc. apart from Moreh, Churachandpur, New Keithelmanbi region and other Kuki-Zo dominated areas.

Meanwhile, the incident at L. Hengjol village on July 9 morning sparked widespread condemnation across the state and the nation.

The Kuki Chiefs' Association vehemently condemned the attack on the residence of Tonghen Haokip, chief of L. Hengjol village by the central forces stating that the indiscriminate firing intended to annihilate the chief and his family, and the damage caused to the house and properties in the attack is irreparable.

Expressing deep disappointment over the alleged indifferent attitude of the central security forces, the Kuki Chiefs' Association appeals to the central security forces to operate tactfully without bias considering the intensity of the current conflict in the state.

It also cautioned that if such atrocities, with utter disregard for Kuki Chiefs and innocent villagers by security forces continue, the Kuki Chiefs will no longer remain silent spectators.

While strongly condemning the incident of L. Hengjol village, the Kuki Inpi South West Sadar Hills accused the DIG(Ops), CRPF H.Premjit Meitei of working as an agent of Meitei militant and extremist groups while accusing him of being involved in various incidents in the ongoing ethnic cleansing pogrom against the Kukis.

The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, the HTC Moreh, various Kuki tribes organisations poured in their strong condemnation over L. Hengjol incident on July 9 morning.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister for the safety and security of the Kuki-Zo people.

Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting escalating ethnic tensions and persecution of the Kuki-Zo people in Manipur. The memorandum condemns the arrest of five Kuki-Zo individuals, citing unequal law enforcement and biased actions by central security forces. KIM demands coordination with law enforcement, the release of the arrested, and an end to discriminatory practices. The memorandum also calls for a separate administrative setup to protect Kuki-Zo rights and ensure peace in the region.

Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills in connection with the arrest of three Kuki-Zo Village Volunteer and the incidents at L. Hengjol village, warned of intensifying its protest, up to the office highway blockade, if their demands are not meted out at the earliest.