Kuki Inpi Condemns NIA Arrests, Alleges Political Bias and Double Standards

The Kuki Inpi Manipur has strongly condemned what it described as the "indiscriminate, arbitrary and politically motivated" arrests of members of the Kuki-Zo community by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), alleging that the agency is acting under political pressure rather than conducting impartial investigations.

In a statement, the Kuki apex body expressed concern over the recent arrest and charging of Kuki-Zo individuals, particularly from Leilon village and the Leimakhong area in Kangpokpi district. It alleged that the arrests were aimed at appeasing public and political outrage instead of being based on objective evidence.

Kuki Inpi claimed that the government's swift action in connection with the killing of six Naga individuals contrasted sharply with what it described as official inaction over the deaths of 15 Kuki-Zo people, who it alleged were killed by NSCN-Muivah and its proxy ZUF-K. The organisation said those cases remain uninvestigated and justice has not been delivered.

The Kuki Inpi alleged that the differing responses reflected a "double standard" in law enforcement, with investigative agencies acting quickly in cases that attract political or public pressure while neglecting crimes against the Kuki-Zo community.

Reaffirming its support for the rule of law, Kuki Inpi said justice must be impartial and should not be influenced by political considerations. It cautioned that investigations driven by public perception rather than evidence could undermine constitutional protections and erode public confidence in the justice system.

The Kuki apex body called for an immediate halt to what it described as arbitrary arrests of Kuki-Zo individuals without verified evidence. It also demanded transparent and equitable investigations into all cases of violence, including the deaths of the 15 Kuki-Zo victims, and sought judicial oversight to ensure investigative agencies function independently of political influence.

Kuki Inpi further appealed to human rights organisations, civil society groups and the judiciary to take note of its allegations of selective enforcement and to oppose arbitrary detentions.