Kuki Community Stages Massive Rally in Kangpokpi Against Alleged Arbitrary Arrests by NIA, CBI; Submits Memo to UHM

Thousands of Kuki-Zo people took to the streets of Kangpokpi District Headquarters today in a massive public rally, organized under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, amid a complete district-wide shutdown.

Braving the monsoon showers and harsh weather, rally participants marched from Nute Kailhang to the Deputy Commissioner’s Office via National Highway-2, raising thunderous slogans condemning what they termed as “arbitrary and targeted arrests” of Kuki-Zo individuals by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The protest, marked by its scale and discipline, was particularly notable for the strong presence and leadership of women and mothers, who led the rally from the front. They were joined by civil society leaders, village chiefs, youth organizations, and concerned citizens from across the district in a show of solidarity against alleged injustices.

To reinforce the protest, a total shutdown from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM was strictly observed across the district. Shops, private institutions, educational centres, and all transport services—including autos and taxis—remained closed. Even agricultural activities, including jhum cultivation and travel, were suspended for the day as the community stood united in protest.

At the DC Office in Kangpokpi, leaders of CoTU, along with representatives of various civil society organizations, submitted a joint memorandum addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the Deputy Commissioner of Kangpokpi.

The memorandum—endorsed by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association (SAHILCA), Kuki Women Union Sadar Hills, Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Sadar Hills, and CoTU Women Wing—voices deep concern over what it calls the "rampant and selective arrests" of Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers by national investigating agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

While reiterating support for the rule of law and the legitimate mandate of national investigative bodies, the memorandum denounces the perceived one-sided nature of the ongoing operations, which it alleges have disproportionately targeted members of the Kuki-Zo community.

“These actions,” the signatories warn, “have caused widespread anxiety, fear, and mistrust within our people—who are already reeling from violence, displacement, and loss.”

The memorandum asserts that such aggressive and imbalanced actions not only threaten the peaceful existence of the Kuki-Zo people but also endanger fragile trust-building efforts amid the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. It cautions that the continued targeting of Village Volunteers—who have defended their communities amidst state failure—may derail any prospects of lasting peace and reconciliation.

In their collective appeal, the civil society bodies urged the Union Government to:

1. Immediately halt the ongoing arbitrary arrests of Village Volunteers until a fair and inclusive mechanism is in place;
2. Ensure impartial investigations that address violations by all sides involved in the conflict;
3. Launch confidence-building measures by engaging communities through a neutral platform;
4. Initiate meaningful dialogue with full recognition of the conflict’s ethnic, historical, and territorial context; and
5. Protect the dignity and safety of Village Volunteers who have been on the frontlines defending their people.

Diana Haokip, a representative of the CoTU Women Wing, briefed the media after the public rally, highlighting the significance of the protest and explaining why the Kuki-Zo people believe the arrests made by the NIA and CBI are arbitrary and politically motivated, while also conveying the collective message of the community to the Centre.