In a remarkable display of unity and resilience, thousands of Kuki-Zo men and women thronged the streets of Kangpokpi District today, rallying against what they described as the gruesome mass killing of their community members in Manipur’s Jiribam.
The protest, spearheaded by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights and the women’s wing of the Committee on Tribal Unity (Sadar Hills), resonated with a strong demand for justice and accountability. Protestors chanted powerful slogans condemning the alleged labelling of Kuki-Zo Volunteers as militants and the purported massacre executed by the CRPF, in collaboration with Manipur Police Commandos and armed Meitei groups.
Starting from Brig. M. Thomas Ground, the demonstrators marched in solidarity along National Highway 2, culminating at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. A memorandum addressing the Union Home Minister and the National Human Rights Commission was submitted, calling for an independent inquiry and immediate intervention to ensure justice.
The protest reflected the deep anguish of the Kuki-Zo community, who accused state forces and armed groups of targeting their identity and survival. Leaders emphasized that this was not just a community grievance but a matter of human rights violations that demands national attention.
The rally, which drew participants from all walks of life, concluded peacefully but left an indelible message of defiance against systemic violence. The Kuki-Zo community vowed to continue its fight for justice and peace in the region.
In a chilling account presented to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Kuki Women’s Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) has exposed what it calls a "gross violation of human rights" by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jiribam, alleging indiscriminate killings and brutality that have left a community in shock and anger.
The memorandum, forwarded via the Deputy Commissioner of Kangpokpi District, accuses the CRPF of recklessly using force on Kuki-Zo village volunteers, leading to the deaths of ten individuals. The report details an explosive chain of events that unfolded after a brutal attack on Zairawn village on November 7, where Meitei militants allegedly raped and murdered a local woman, Zosangkim Hmar. This attack, following a brief period of relative peace, shattered hopes for reconciliation and stoked fears of an ethnic war between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities.
Despite appeals for intervention, the KWOHR claims that authorities failed to respond, fueling public anger and a sense of betrayal. In response to this inaction, Kuki-Zo volunteers reportedly set fire to several buildings in Jakuradhor and Borobekra on November 11. But when the CRPF arrived on the scene, the situation took a horrific turn. According to KWOHR, rather than de-escalating the situation, the CRPF opened fire on the volunteers, killing one instantly. The surviving volunteers, who had refrained from confrontation, were allegedly rounded up, detained, and then brutally murdered – two beaten to death in what the KWOHR describes as a "cold-blooded massacre."
The memorandum expresses the Kuki-Zo community’s longstanding distrust toward the CRPF, accusing them of negligence and failing to protect local populations. The KWOHR contrasts this with the Assam Rifles, which, it asserts, have consistently gained the community’s trust through their commitment to stability in buffer zones. The memorandum urgently calls for the replacement of CRPF with the Assam Rifles to restore a semblance of peace and trust in these conflict-prone areas.
“This is not just a breach of duty; it is a gross and inhumane disregard for human life,” the memorandum reads, demanding that the NHRC hold the responsible CRPF personnel accountable under the full extent of the law. The KWOHR insists that swift and decisive action is crucial, not only for justice for the victims and their families but to prevent what they describe as a "perpetuating cycle of violence and impunity" that could plunge the region into further turmoil.
The appeal underscores the urgent need for national attention on what has become an explosive human rights crisis in Manipur. It calls upon the NHRC to ensure the rule of law prevails, warning that the failure to address these alleged atrocities could have far-reaching consequences for both the region and the country's commitment to human rights.
The memorandum concludes with a stark warning: “Justice delayed is justice denied. We implore the Commission to act decisively to uphold justice and prevent further atrocities that would irreparably damage the social fabric of this land."
As pressure mounts, this appeal is expected to intensify scrutiny over the CRPF’s role in the region, raising fundamental questions about security policies in conflict-ridden Manipur, where a deeply fractured peace hangs by a thread.
"Enough is enough. Our cries for justice cannot be silenced anymore," declared one protestor. "We march today not only for our fallen brothers and sisters but for the dignity of our people and the rule of law", said Sylvia, one of the Human Rights activists.
In Churachandpur (Lamka), a thunderous wave of public outrage swept through the streets as tens of thousands of protesters, led by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, rallied against the killing of 10 Kuki-Zo volunteers in Jiribam. The massive rally, spearheaded by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, has become a defining moment in the fight for accountability and justice in Manipur’s escalating ethnic conflict.
Flagged off by Thangboi of the Koite Lui Area Chief Association at Koite Ground, the rally snaked through Tiddim Road and culminated at the Wall of Remembrance in Tuibong. The streets were a sea of banners and placards bearing scathing messages, including, “CRPF: Cowards in Uniform”, “Stop Siding with Secessionists”, “Justice for Jiribam Martyrs”, “Remove Meitei CRPF DIG Premjit Guide from Manipur”, etc.
A banner reading "Public Rally Over the Mass Killing in Jiribam" was carried by the rally organizers and participants as they marched from Koite Ground to the Wall of Remembrance.
KSO Vice President Minlal, addressing the rally, condemned the CRPF’s actions as “barbaric” and “senseless,” asserting that the slain volunteers were not insurgents but courageous defenders of their villages under attack by armed Meitei groups. “These killings are an unforgivable betrayal by forces entrusted with protecting lives. Justice must not be delayed—it must be delivered swiftly,” he said.
Minlal’s words struck a chord with the crowd, whose chants of “Justice now!” echoed through the city. Protesters accused the CRPF of colluding with Meitei groups, further inflaming suspicions of bias within state and national security agencies.
The rally reached its emotional peak at the Wall of Remembrance, where leaders from civil society organizations addressed the crowd. A memorandum demanding justice and an independent judicial inquiry was handed to the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur, addressed to the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The spirit of resistance spread beyond Lamka, as a simultaneous rally in Chandel saw large crowds marching from Haika Ground to Chahkap Ground, carrying similar slogans and demands. Protesters there decried the killings as “state-sanctioned atrocities” against the tribal people of Manipur.
The Wall of Remembrance became a poignant symbol of both grief and defiance, as leaders called for unity and unwavering resolve in the face of escalating violence. “This is not just about 10 lives lost,” one speaker declared. “This is about justice, dignity, and our right to exist without fear.”
The rallies in Lamka and Chandel mark a turning point in the Kuki-Zo community’s fight for justice. The massive turnout and impassioned calls for accountability have sent a resounding message to the state and central governments: silence and inaction will no longer be tolerated.
In Tengnoupal's Moreh “Justice for Jiribam Victims” echoed the border town as thousands protest against inhumane Jiribam's mass killings.
In a resounding call for justice and accountability, thousands of protesters united in Moreh today for a massive Public Peace Rally, demanding action against the brutal killings of Zosangkim Hmar and ten Kuki-Zo village volunteers at Jiribam.
Organized by the Kuki Women’s Union and Human Rights (KWU & HR) Tengnoupal District, the rally saw unprecedented support from key tribal organizations, community leaders, and youth groups.
The peaceful march began at Galngam Lentol, Moreh, with participants from Tengnoupal, Moreh, and nearby villages holding banners and chanting slogans like “We Want Justice,” “Respect Human Rights,” and “Action Against the Perpetrators.”
The victims, who were defending their villages amid ethnic clashes, were reportedly killed by personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Outraged by the heinous act, protesters called for an immediate and transparent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
“This is not just about lives lost; it’s about the blatant violation of human rights. We demand justice for the victims and a system that protects our people,” declared KWU & HR General Secretary Lhaikhohoi Doungel.
The rally also amplified the demand for a separate administration with legislative autonomy, reflecting growing frustration over the systemic neglect and violence faced by ethnic minorities.
The event sent a powerful message to the Government of India (GoI): “We will not rest until justice is served. Acts of violence against our communities cannot and will not go unanswered,” reiterated the KWU & HR leadership.
Today’s rally stands as a pivotal moment in the fight for justice, human rights, and dignity, as the Kuki community continues to demand accountability for the Jiribam killings. (With Inputs from Kaybie Chongloi)
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
