Kangpokpi rally protests selective arrests
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, June 25 2025: Thousands of Kuki-Zo people on Wednesday participated in a protest rally carried out in and around Kangpokpi town, demanding an end to alleged selective arrests of community members by central investigating agencies.

The rally organised by Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, had the participants marching from Nute Kailhang to the office of the deputy commissioner (DC) via the National Highway-2 amid continuous rainfall.

During the rally, headed by women leaders joined by civil society representatives, village chiefs, and youth organisations from across the district, shops, educational institutions, and transport services ceased service from 9 am to 1 pm.

At the DC's office, a memorandum endorsed by CoTU, Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association, Kuki Women Union Sadar Hills, Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) Sadar Hills, and CoTU Women Wing, was submitted for forwarding the same to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The memorandum highlighted concerns over 'rampant and selective arrests' of Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers by the National Investigation Agency and Central Bureau of Investigation, arguing that the operations have disproportionately targeted their community members.

"These actions have caused widespread anxiety, fear, and mistrust within our people, who are already reeling from violence, displacement, and loss", read the memorandum.

The representation also demanded that the Union government immediately suspend arrests until fair investigation mechanisms are established; impartial probe addressing violations by all parties involved in the conflict between the Meetei and Kuki-Zo communities; initiation of confidence-building measures through neutral platforms and meaningful dialogue that recognises the conflict s ethnic, historical, and territorial dimensions; protection for Village Volunteers who have defended communities during the crisis.

Diana Haokip of CoTU Women Wing, who briefed the media representatives the rally, asserted the community's position that the arrests are arbitrary and politically motivated.

She conveyed the collective concerns of the Kuki-Zo people to central authorities.

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