AMUCO calls for unity to foil divisive tactics
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 02 2025: All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has pointed out the need to recognise the hidden agenda behind the government of India's continued inaction, despite being fully aware that the demands of the Kuki-Zo community are unreasonable and their actions amount to terrorism that violates the Constitution.

AMUCO stressed the importance of adopting a multi-dimensional approach to face the situation, rather than turning against one another, which only weakens the collective ability to resist the political and divisive strategies being carried out by the central government in collusion with Kuki-Zo militants.

In a statement, AMUCO alleged that the crisis in Manipur since May 3, 2023, has been continuing as the government of India is pursuing a long-standing agenda taking advantage of the unrest situation.

It claimed that the hidden objective explains the central government's apparent indifference, despite widespread violence, loss of lives, displacement of thousands and large-scale destruction of property.

AMUCO also questioned whether the deployment of additional central forces in the state is genuinely intended to restore peace, or to serve vested interests of the government.

AMUCO asserted that the government of India is fully aware of the root causes of the May 3 crisis, the background of the Kuki-Zo community, and infeasibility of their demands.

It also pointed out the need for the people of Manipur to unite in exposing the central government s undisclosed agenda.

The release also raised concerns about the possibility of a prior understanding between the government of India and the Kuki-Zo militants, suggesting that such an agreement may have been reached years back.

AMUCO wondered whether the Centre's inaction stems from fear that the Kuki-Zo militants might reveal these hidden dealings if action is taken against them.

AMUCO further stated that remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, both in Parliament and through the media, were rendered ineffective by the actions of Kuki-Zo militants and their affiliated civil society organisations.

The Union Minister s announcement that free movement along Manipur's national highways would be ensured from March 8 was, according to AMUCO, reduced to a mockery on the very first day.

Referring to the Governor of Manipur's appeal for all groups to surrender arms, AMUCO noted that while the Meetei community responded by surrendering a large number of weapons, the Kuki-Zo groups openly defied the appeal, publicly declaring that they would not disarm until their demands were met.

It also criticised the Governor for failing to take any action, or even attempting to do so, against the Kuki-Zo for their non-compliance.

Instead of initiating steps to resolve the ongoing crisis, the Governor is preoccupied with inaugurating office buildings and laying foundation stones, the statement noted.

The release further stated that both the government of Manipur and the central government appear focused solely on recovering weapons stolen from the state's armoury, AMUCO further called for the confiscation of all illegal weapons in circulation, including those brought in from Myanmar and used within Manipur.

It also alleged that while approximately 80 percent of arms have been surrendered in the valley, less than 10 percent have been recovered from the hill areas, accusing the PR government in Manipur of displaying a biased approach.

The release further stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has now initiated a longterm strategy to address the Manipur crisis.

As part of this initiative, MHA's North East advisor AK Mishra met with CSOs from the Kuki-Zo community on March 11 in Churachandpur, followed by meetings with representatives of AMUCO, COCOMI and FOCS on March 12 in Imphal.

A joint meeting was later held in Delhi on April 5, bringing together Kuki-Zo CSO leaders and representatives from AMUCO and FOCS.

During the meeting, a six-point resolution was drafted.

However, the Kuki-Zo representatives refused to sign it, effectively stalling prospects for a resolution.

AMUCO criticised both Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Governor of Manipur for failing to take action against the Kuki-Zo groups, despite their role in obstructing efforts to resolve the crisis.

It further said that it is time for a thorough public discussion on what it described as the Centre's hidden agenda, particularly during the "Revisiting May 3, 2023" public event, which AMUCO has been organising since 2024 at the Kwakeithel Akham Leikai Community Hall, with theaim of taking a firm stand to protect Manipur.

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