Lamka: Thousands of Kuki-Zo Women Protest Deployment of Central Forces in Saibol

Thousands of Kuki women gathered in Lamka, Manipur, to stage a sit-in protest at the Wall of Remembrance (WoR) site in Tuibong, condemning the recent deployment of central forces in Saibol village, located in Lhungtin Sub-Division, Kangpokpi district. The protest was organized by the Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights (KWOHR) in collaboration with the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) Women Wing.

At the forefront of the protest, Ngaineikim, President of KWOHR, expressed deep concerns over the actions of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Saibol. She condemned the use of force against unarmed women who were peacefully defending their lands and accused the security forces of violating basic human rights. Ngaineikim specifically questioned why the CAPF would target innocent women who are only trying to ensure peace and protect their community.

"We stand with the women of Saibol village who are braving the cold to protect their land and lives. As long as our demand to remove the CRPF and BSF from Saibol remains unmet, we will continue our fight," she stated, calling for accountability and action against the CAPF personnel involved in inflicting harm on the women.

Leaders from the Kuki-Zo Council and ITLF also voiced their support, reiterating their demand for the immediate withdrawal of central forces from Saibol.

Later in the day, KWOHR and ITLF Women Wing representatives submitted a joint memorandum to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) through the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur. The memorandum highlighted ongoing violence against the Kuki-Zo community, particularly during the Christmas period when attacks by the Meitei community on Kuki villages intensified. The memorandum accused the central forces of exacerbating the violence through biased actions and excessive force against peaceful Kuki-Zo women protesters.

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The appeal, addressed to NHRC Chairman Justice V. Ramasubramanian, calls attention to the ongoing violence against the Kuki-Zo community by the Meitei community, with alleged collusion from the state government led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. Since December 24, the Meitei community has reportedly launched a series of attacks on Kuki villages in the Saibol-Twichin areas, resulting in significant displacement and turmoil. In response, Kuki-Zo village volunteers have been defending their homes and lands.

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The letter condemns the violent actions of CAPF personnel, specifically their brutal crackdown on peaceful Kuki-Zo women protesters. According to the organizations, 75 women have been injured, with one woman at risk of losing her eyesight due to the use of lethal force, including lathi charges and tear gas. The groups allege that these actions are part of a larger pattern where security forces overlook attacks on Kuki villages and instead target the unarmed, peaceful protesters.

The memorandum highlights the deepening mistrust and fear among Kuki-Zo women, referencing the tragic case of "Zosangkim," a woman who was brutally murdered and subjected to horrific acts posthumously. The groups argue that sexual violence against women has become a weapon of war, used to terrorize and dominate the Kuki-Zo community. Despite protests, women have been subjected to further abuse and assault, deepening their plight.

The organizations also criticized Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for allegedly misusing his authority to deploy CAPF for combing operations against the victimized Kuki-Zo community. They accused the forces of using inhumane tactics during protests, which have resulted in around 40 serious casualties among the demonstrators.

In their letter, KWOHR and ITLF demand strict actions against the concerned CAPF personnel, the maintenance of a "Buffer Zone" for the protection of Kuki-Zo communities, and an urgent intervention by the NHRC. The organizations expressed hope that the NHRC would forward their concerns to the Home Minister and the Prime Minister's office to address the ongoing violence and human rights violations in the region.

The letter was signed by Ningmuanching, Convenor of ITLF Women Wing, and Ngaineikim, President of KWOHR, calling for justice and the protection of their community's dignity and safety.