Condemnation of Armed Football Match in Kangpokpi
- 7th February 2025 : Delhi Meetei Co-ordinating Committee (DMCC) -

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Kuki militants openly carrying sophisticated assault rifles while participating in a football match at Nohjang Kipgen Memorial Playground, Kangpokpi

Condemnation of Government of India’s Indirect -Support Over Armed Football Match by Kuki Militants in Kangpokpi, Manipur

Delhi Meetei Co-ordinating Committee (DMCC) strongly condemn against the Government of India and its subordinate Manipur Government on the recent shocking incident in Kangpokpi, Manipur, where Kuki militants were seen openly carrying sophisticated assault rifles while participating in a football match at the Nohjang Kipgen Memorial Playground, Kangpokpi, Manipur.

The clip shows several men dressed in football kits wielding AK-series and American-origin M-series assault rifles while casually kicking a football around. Notably, red ribbons were tied around the barrels of the guns.

This blatant display of militarization in a civilian event exposes not only the complete failure of the Government of India to maintain law and order in the state and Kuki militants’ impunity. The video showed that the event, attended by over 300 people, featured various cultural performances, including traditional dances. Some underage children were seen guarding the performances while holding rifles.

While Kuki armed militants play football with sophisticated assault rifles in Kangpokpi, the elected Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri N. Biren Singh and his cabinet ministers—including Power Minister and Thongju MLA Thongam Biswajit, Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Consumer Affairs Minister L. Susindro Meitei, Langthabal MLA Karam Shyam, Lamlai MLA Kh. Ibomcha, Patsoi MLA Sapam Kunjakeswor (Keba), and Kumbi MLA Sanasam Premchandra—were attending the Kumbh Mela at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

Their actions during such a critical moment reflects not only their apathy but also their complete failure in governance. If they are more interested in religious rituals than addressing Manipur’s worsening security crisis, they should resign immediately, hand over power to the people, and retreat to the Himalayas to become priests. Governance is a responsibility, not a spiritual retreat.

This incident is not an isolated event but part of a disturbing pattern where armed Kuki groups operate with impunity. The viral video of militants playing football while brandishing weapons highlights how deeply entrenched the culture of militarization and ethnicization has become under the Government of India's watch. That such activities occur in the headquarter of Kangpokpi district , Manipur further proves the collapse of governance and selective enforcement of law and order.

DMCC recalls the statement made by MP Bimol Akoijam in Parliament, where he highlighted that Kuki armed groups have been reportedly propped up by security forces. This latest event further confirms concerns that Kuki armed groups are being armed and shielded by the very state’s institutions that should be working to restore peace.

We Demand Immediate Action:

1. End Indian State-Sponsored Militarization – The Government of India must stop its tacit support and dismantle all armed ethnic groups operating under its watch.

2. Immediate Crackdown on Armed Groups – Security forces must take decisive action to disarm kuki militants and all armed groups, restore order.

3. Restoration of Rule of Law – The Government of India and Manipur Government must prevent Manipur from turning into a battlefield where militant groups dictate terms any further.

DMCC call upon the Government of India to immediately stop siding with or supporting Kuki militants under the institutionalized "Suspension of Operations" (SoO) agreement and to end the weaponization of ethnic communities. The reckless arming of Kuki militants and certain groups is destroying the social fabric of Manipur and pushing the state toward deeper conflict. If the Indian government fails to act, it will be held directly responsible for the further deterioration of peace and stability in Manipur.

Media Coordinator
Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC)