Kuki-Zo CSOs Submit Memo to Guv, Request Transfer of 5 AR CO Lt. Col. Nitin Sharma, Hold Rally in Moreh

The Kuki-Zo civil society organizations (CSOs) in Moreh submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur on Friday, requesting the immediate transfer of the 5 Assam Rifles Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Nitin Sharma.

The CSOs also drew the Governor’s attention to the actions of security forces and agencies, urging them to stop targeting Kuki-Zo CSO leaders and Suspension of Operation (SoO) cadres with various charges that threaten their legitimate and fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression.

Spearheaded by the Kuki Chief Association, Kuki Tribal Council, Kuki Students' Organisation, Kuki Khanglai Lawmpi, Moreh Youth Club, and Kuki Women Union and Human Rights (Tengnoupal District), the rally began at Galngam Lentol and proceeded to the ADC Complex in Moreh.

During the rally, the CSOs submitted the memorandum to the Governor through Tengnoupal MLA Letpao Haokip.

In the memorandum, the CSOs stated that the current system of filing criminal charges against Kuki-Zo community leaders and SoO cadres—and their subsequent detention and arrest by central agencies such as the NIA—is often based on mere suspicion without concrete evidence.

“This system of persecuting a particular community has destroyed the trust and confidence of the people of Moreh in the central forces and agencies operating in the area,” the CSOs stated.

Stating that the world is aware of who initiated the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur on May 3, 2023, the memorandum added, “It is very unfortunate that law enforcers seem to target only one community instead of acting neutrally in the performance of their duty.”

The CSOs urged law enforcement agencies to treat all citizens with equality and dignity. Unless such unequal treatment by authorities ceases, the CSOs of the Kuki-Zo community stated they would be compelled to take necessary steps to resist such injustice.

Furthermore, the memorandum alleged that Lt. Col. Nitin Sharma of 5 AR acted with bias and for personal gain by arbitrarily arresting Kamginthang Gangte, a SoO cadre, without following due legal procedures—an act that has created fresh tensions in the area.

On June 6, the Kuki CSOs in Moreh also called for a 24-hour shutdown in the Moreh area to express their dissatisfaction over the arrest of Kamginthang Gangte.