Two Kuki Organisations Issue Strong Rebuttals to DG Assam Rifles’ Remarks on Myanmar Nationals

Two influential Kuki organisations — the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) and the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) — have issued strong rebuttals to remarks made by Lt. Gen. Vikas Lakhera, Director General of Assam Rifles (DGAR), regarding the alleged influx of over 42,000 people from Myanmar into Manipur.

In a release issued on Thursday, KZC reminded that the DGAR had clearly stated that around 42,000 persons have crossed into India from Myanmar due to the ongoing political and ethnic turmoil in that country, and that these individuals have been sheltered across various northeastern states, including Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland.

However, the council alleged that former Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, in his habitual haste and malice, twisted this fact to once again propagate his false narrative of “illegal immigrants” in Manipur.

The council stated that such a reckless statement is not only misleading but also dangerous, as it seeks to vilify the Kuki-Zo people and further inflame tensions in an already fragile situation.

“The fact of the matter is that these 42,000 persons are not ‘illegal immigrants’ as alleged by Biren Singh. They are victims of war and persecution in Myanmar, who have crossed the international border seeking refuge and safety,” KZC stated.

KZC added that the Assam Rifles, in accordance with established protocols under the Free Movement Regime (FMR), has been recording the biometrics and documents of Myanmar nationals, thereby ensuring that due procedures are followed. The council argued that this alone refutes the baseless claim that these individuals are “illegal.”

“It is highly regrettable that certain media houses, instead of exercising journalistic integrity, have chosen to echo Biren Singh’s false narrative, thereby spreading misinformation and stigmatizing an entire community,” the release stated.

KZC urged the media to exercise greater responsibility and verify facts before publishing such sensitive reports.

“The Kuki-Zo people of Manipur are not illegal immigrants, nor have we entered India in recent times. We are the indigenous sons and daughters of this land, whose history and existence in the hills of Manipur long predate the present political boundaries,” KZC asserted.

The council further added that attempts to brand Kuki-Zo people otherwise are nothing but a continuation of the divisive and discriminatory politics of N. Biren Singh, whose tenure as Chief Minister was marked by communal prejudice and targeted policies against the Kuki-Zo.

KOHUR Also Condemns DGAR’s Remarks

Meanwhile, the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) also strongly objected to the recent statement made by Lt. Gen. Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General of Assam Rifles, alleging that around 42,000 outsiders have entered Manipur through the Indo-Myanmar border since December 2024 and that their biometrics have been collected.

“Coming from the head of a force entrusted with peace and security, this statement is both unbecoming and irresponsible — especially in a state already torn apart by ethnic conflict. Security forces must inspire trust, not deepen suspicion,” KOHUR stated.

The organisation pointed out multiple contradictions in the DGAR’s claim: “If these people are indeed illegal entrants, then how were their biometrics obtained? And if biometrics were duly recorded, how can they still be branded illegal? Furthermore, how did such numbers cross into Manipur when the borders are fenced, guarded, and monitored by the very security forces now raising the alarm?”

KOHUR stated that these inconsistencies render the statement hollow and raise serious doubts about its intent.

They also raised concerns about the Free Movement Regime (FMR), introduced by the present dispensation: “If tens of thousands have entered despite fences and checkpoints, does this not show that the policy has failed outright? Instead of acknowledging policy lapses, the statement scapegoats ‘outsiders’ in vague and loaded terms, risking communal targeting and further destabilising Manipur’s fragile social fabric.”

KOHUR warned that, at a time when thousands remain displaced and tensions are dangerously high, such ambiguous and provocative remarks can only incite hatred.

“The Assam Rifles, as a disciplined and professional force, should know its words carry weight. It must communicate with clarity, fairness, and responsibility. Anything less undermines its credibility and its mandate to safeguard peace and harmony,” KOHUR said.

The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust therefore demanded that the DGAR produce a white paper immediately on his statement, along with an unambiguous clarification.

“Should this not be provided, KOHUR will view the statement as another act of dehumanisation against the Chin-Kuki-Mizo people and will take the necessary steps to defend the dignity and rights of the community,” the release concluded.