KSO-CCPUR Condemns Kidnappings, Killings; Urges GoI for Safe Release of 15 Kuki-Zo Hostages

The Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), Churachandpur, has expressed its strongest condemnation and deepest anguish over the continued kidnappings, killings, intimidation, and targeted persecution of innocent Kuki civilians in the districts of Kangpokpi and Senapati in the past few days.

In a statement on Friday (15 May), the student body alleged that the recent incidents, overtly perpetrated by Liangmai groups and the Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) in broad daylight, had exposed the complete collapse of law and order in the concerned districts and the utter inefficiency, incompetence, and failure of the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of Kangpokpi and Senapati in discharging their constitutional and administrative responsibilities.

"The continuing unlawful detention of the 15 innocent Kuki villagers from Taphou Kuki Village stands as a direct challenge to the authority of the Indian State and the rule of law. The inability or unwillingness of the district administrations and police authorities to ensure the immediate release and protection of innocent civilians has emboldened anti-social and communal elements to act with impunity," it said.

"Such dangerous precedence severely undermines the sanctity of constitutional governance and threatens the fragile peace and coexistence among communities."

KSO Churachandpur strongly urged the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi; Union Home Minister, Amit Shah; Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla; Chief Minister of Manipur, Y. Khemchand Singh; Home Minister of Manipur, Govindas K., and the Director General of Police, Manipur, Rajiv Singh, to immediately intervene and take the matter into their own hands, as the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of Kangpokpi and Senapati have completely failed in their duties.

"The Government of India and the Government of Manipur must ensure the safe and unconditional release of the 15 Kuki hostages of Taphou Kuki Village as soon as possible and initiate serious and exemplary action against all individuals, organisations, and officials responsible for the prevailing situation," it said.

KSO Churachandpur further cautioned that failure on the part of the Government machinery to act decisively and responsibly would compel concerned organisations and individuals to take necessary steps to ensure the safety and release of the hostages.

In such an eventuality, it said, the Kuki organisations shall not be held responsible, as the Kuki people cannot remain silent spectators to the persistent inefficiencies, negligence, and inaction of bureaucrats and politicians while innocent lives continue to remain under grave threat.

KSO Churachandpur appealed to the public, civil society organisations, and all democratic forces to stand united against lawlessness, communal targeting, and administrative failure.