KIM Nationwide Rally in Kangpokpi Demands PM's Intervention Over Slain Church Leaders and 14 Kuki-Zo Hostages

Thousands of Kuki-Zo people poured onto the streets of Kangpokpi on Friday as part of a nationwide democratic rally called by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), demanding justice for the brutal killing of three Kuki-Zo church leaders, the immediate and unconditional release of 14 Kuki-Zo hostages, protection of the Kuki-Zo people, and an expedited political solution to the ongoing crisis in Manipur.

An estimated 5,000 people, including men, women, youth, elders, civil society leaders and church members, participated in the massive peaceful procession that began from Brig. M. Thomas Ground and marched through National Highway-2 via IT Road before culminating at the Deputy Commissioner's Office in Kangpokpi district headquarters.

The rally reverberated with slogans such as "Justice for Our Church Leaders," "Release the Hostages," "Selective Justice is Injustice," and "Protect the Kuki-Zo People," reflecting growing frustration over what participants described as prolonged government inaction and unequal application of justice.

Addressing the gathering at Brig. M. Thomas Ground, Kuki Inpi Manipur President Ch. Ajang Khongsai, family members of the abducted hostages, and representatives of Taphou Village Authority condemned the continued delay in securing justice and demanded urgent intervention by the Government of India.

Joining the rally in their clerical gowns, several church leaders stood in solidarity with the demonstrators and strongly denounced the killing of the three church leaders. 

Among them, Dr. S. Chongloi, Secretary of the Kuki-Zo Christian Forum, vehemently condemned the brutal murders, stating that religious leaders, particularly church pastors, are peace-loving citizens dedicated to serving humanity and fostering harmony among communities.

"The blood of innocent peacemakers must not be allowed to be shed in vain," he said.

Stressing that such acts of violence must never be repeated, Dr. Chongloi called for justice and peaceful coexistence among all communities. 

"We want peace. We want all people to live together in peace and dignity. We want justice," he said, urging the authorities to swiftly identify, arrest and prosecute all those involved in the killings of the three church leaders in accordance with the law of the land.

Later, a delegation comprising leaders of Kuki Inpi Manipur and various civil society organisations met Deputy Commissioner Mahesh Chaudhari and submitted a detailed memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the memorandum, KIM stated that the Kuki-Zo people have endured more than three years of "targeted violence, systematic persecution, displacement, intimidation, destruction of homes and places of worship, and repeated attacks on innocent civilians," while justice remained elusive despite repeated appeals to the authorities.

The memorandum strongly condemned the May 13 killing of three Thadou-Kuki church leaders, describing it as a "barbaric ambush" and "a direct assault on humanity, religious freedom and peaceful coexistence." It alleged that despite nationwide outrage, no arrests have been made in connection with the killings.

Demanding accountability, KIM called for the immediate identification and arrest of all perpetrators, a fair and time-bound investigation under central agencies, criminal action against those who sponsored or facilitated the attack, and adequate compensation and rehabilitation for the bereaved families.

The organisation also expressed outrage over the continued detention of 14 Kuki-Zo individuals allegedly held hostage in Senapati district, describing the incident as a complete breakdown of law and order and a grave failure of the constitutional machinery.

"The continued failure of the authorities to secure their release has emboldened those responsible and created immense fear and insecurity among the Kuki-Zo people," the memorandum stated, while demanding immediate intervention by the Government of India and central security agencies to ensure the hostages' safe and unconditional release.

KIM further accused the authorities of allowing a pattern of selective justice to emerge. The memorandum pointed out that while four Kuki-Zo individuals were swiftly arrested in connection with the disappearance of six Naga individuals, no comparable action had been taken regarding the killing of the church leaders or the hostage crisis.

Calling the situation a serious threat to public confidence in the justice delivery system, the memorandum urged New Delhi to ensure complete security in Kuki-Zo inhabited areas, dismantle armed groups responsible for ethnic violence and intimidation, guarantee free movement of goods and essential commodities along NH-2 and NH-37, and uphold constitutional rights without discrimination.

The memorandum also pressed for an expedited political solution, arguing that the ongoing crisis has demonstrated that the aspirations, security concerns and political rights of the Kuki-Zo people can no longer be ignored or indefinitely delayed.

KIM urged the Government of India to immediately intensify political dialogue with Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups representing the Kuki-Zo people and work toward what it termed an honourable and lasting political settlement guaranteeing security, dignity and peaceful coexistence.

"The Kuki-Zo people are not asking for favour or sympathy. We are demanding justice, security, equal protection under the Constitution, and the fundamental right to live with dignity and safety," the memorandum asserted.

Warning that continued delays could further deepen instability and alienation, KIM appealed to the Prime Minister to act decisively to deliver justice to victims, secure the release of the hostages, punish those responsible for violence irrespective of affiliation, restore peace through accountability, and expedite a political solution before the situation deteriorates further.

The rally concluded peacefully with participants reaffirming their commitment to democratic and constitutional means of seeking justice while reiterating that peace, security and reconciliation cannot be achieved without accountability and a meaningful political resolution.