Kuki Inpi Manipur Holds Statewide Rally for Justice, Submits Memorandum to the Prime Minister

The apex body of the Kuki community, Kuki Inpi Manipur, held rallies across Kuki-Zo inhabited areas of Manipur on Friday.

In Churachandpur district, the rally began from Koite Village Playground and proceeded to Peace Ground in Tuibong.

People from all walks of life participated in the rally, carrying placards and raising various slogans.

After the rally concluded, people gathered at Peace Ground, where leaders of different civil society organizations addressed the public on various issues faced by the Kuki-Zo people. Similar rallies were also held in other Kuki-Zo inhabited districts of Manipur.

Kuki Inpi Manipur also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur.

The charter of demands includes justice in the alleged fake encounter case involving central security forces; abrogation of the ceasefire agreement with NSCN-IM and its proxies; an investigation into the burning and ravaging of 11 Kuki villages; immediate deployment of security personnel in vulnerable Kuki-Zo villages; a time-bound report on government investigations; and the expediting of a political settlement for the Kuki-Zo people.

Speaking to reporters after the rally, Kuki Inpi Manipur spokesperson Sasang Vaiphei said the rally had been organised to bring the grievances of the Kuki-Zo people before the Government of India and to seek justice, protection, accountability, and lasting peace for the Kuki-Zo people.

Since the onset of the tension between the two communities, Sasang said the Kuki-Zo people have consistently exercised restraint and pursued peaceful means of resolution.

Even after the killing of two Kuki-Zo men by cadres and volunteers of NSCN-IM, the Kuki-Zo community chose the path of peace by releasing 21 detainees in a spirit of reconciliation and de-escalation, he added.

Despite such commitment to peace, a team of church leaders was reportedly waylaid and killed by cadres of NSCN-IM and ZUF (K).

Nevertheless, the Kuki-Zo people continue to engage in confidence-building measures, including the exchange of detainees on both sides, in the hope of preventing further violence, the spokesperson stated.

Despite repeated efforts towards peace and reconciliation, the Kuki-Zo people continue to face serious hardships and human rights violations, he added.

Most recently, on June 16, according to eyewitness accounts, Lenminsang was killed in an alleged fake encounter, Sasang said, claiming that the incident was a fake encounter because, when Lenminsang was shot, he was wearing normal clothes. However, when his body was received, he was dressed in semi-camouflage attire.

Condemning the incident, the KIM spokesperson called for an independent, impartial, and time-bound investigation to ensure that justice is delivered and accountability is established.

Sasang also appealed to the Government of India to take urgent and effective measures to safeguard innocent civilians, uphold the rule of law, and ensure justice for all victims affected by the conflict.

"We demand justice, protection, accountability, and peaceful resolutions founded on truth and the rule of law," Sasang said.