Kuki bodies flay FIR, search on to nab Paojakhup
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 18 2025: Even as police authorities across the north-eastern states launched special operations to arrest Kuki Students' Organisation-Delhi (KSO-D) president Paojakhup Guite, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and Kuki women's organisations demanded urgent withdrawal of the First Information Report (FIR) against Paojakhup Guite and called for the strict upholding of the neutrality of buffer zones, ensuring they remain effective barriers against the spread of violence.

In a release, KIM Information & Publicity secretary Janghaolun Haokip expressed deep concern and strong condemnation of the recent FIR hied against Paojakhup.

"We view this action as partial, discriminatory, and deeply biased against the Kuki-Zo people, whose voices and legitimate concerns continue to be marginalised amidst the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur" .

"Guite's recent remarks - particularly the call that no Meitei individuals should be allowed to cross the established buffer zones - must be understood within the context of an extremely volatile situation.

His statement was not an incitement to violence, but rather a measured and cautionary message grounded in the urgent need to prevent further escalation and safeguard all communities involved," it said.

KIM emphasised that with the ethnic tensions in Manipur yet to be justly addressed or resolved, the presence of individuals from either side in these sensitive areas risks provoking unnecessary confrontation.

It is therefore deeply concerning that Guite's words have been distorted and weaponised through legal means, the secretary expressed.

"We are equally troubled by what appears to be a calculated move by the Government of Manipur to undermine peace by allowing or encouraging Meitei civilians to cross buffer zones.

This action can only heighten ethnic unrest and destabilise any prospects for long-term reconciliation.

Such steps contradict the basic principles of conflict management and raise serious questions about the government's impartiality and intent," it claimed.

KIM further asserted: "The Kuki-Zo people seek peace, security, and justice.

We will continue th advocate for a diplomatic and rights-based approach to restoring peace in the region, one that ensures the legitimate right of the Kuki-Zo people for a Union Territory with Legislature guaranteed under the Constitution of India Article 239(A)".Meanwhile, Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and Kuki Women Union (KWU) also strongly condemned the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against KSO Delhi & NCR president Paojakhup Guite, calling it a politically motivated attempt to suppress democratic expression.

In separate statements issued on Sunday, both organisations denounced the FIR lodged by a group of Meira Paibis and accused the state machinery of criminalising truth-telling.

They stated that the recent speech of Paojakhup Guite in Churachandpur merely highlighted the reality of buffer zones and raised valid concerns over the government facilitating unrestricted transit without resolving the underlying political crisis.

KWOHR said the move violated the purpose of the buffer zones and provoked the Kuki-Zo people.

KWOHR also criticised the failure of the state to take action against Meetei leaders of organisations like Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun, who have allegedly incited violence with genocidal slogans.

While those leaders face no consequences, peaceful voices like those of Paojakhup Guite are being silenced, even under the President's Rule, KWOHR said.

The two organisations expressed full solidarity with Paojakhup Guite and reiterated the demand for a separate administration as a constitutional and necessary solution to end prolonged marginalisation, violence, and insecurity faced by Kuki-Zo people.

They called on the Governor to intervene and immediately withdraw the FIR, stating that justice delayed is justice denied.

On the other-hand, police in Manipur and four other states in the northeast are searching for Paojakhup Guite against whom a first information report (FIR) has been filed for allegedly giving a hate speech against members of the Meitei community.

Paojakhup, in a public speech, allegedly threatened Meiteis not to pass by Kuki settlements while going, from Imphal to Ukhrul district, the venue of the Shirui Lily Festival to be held from May 20 to 24.The police posted a screengrab of a video that showed Guite holding a mic and addressing a roadside gathering in Churachandpur district.

In the video that surfaced on social media, the Kuki student leader spoke in his tribe's dialect.

Guite's whereabouts are still unknown.

In a post on X, Manipur police said Churachandpur district police has registered an FIR and all efforts including raid, etc., in nearby districts are being made for his immediate arrest.

"The police of neighbouring States of Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland & Meghalaya, etc., have been requested for arresting him as quickly as possible.

All necessary security arrangements shall be made to ensure security of people attending the Shirui festival, the police said.

The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) and the KSO in separate statements alleged selective ap plication of criminal law by the police, and questioned why no Meetei who allegedly gave hate speeches have not been arrested.

KOHUR is also the petitioner in the audio tapes case linked to former chief minister N Biren Singh.

Meetei groups alleged Kuki organisations of trying to cover up, play "victim card" and sugarcoat Guite's hate speech in which he allegedly called for harming members of the Meetei community who pass by Kuki villages on their way to Ukhrul district.

They also pointed at alleged twisting of a Meetei professor's words in a news debate to make it seem like hate speech, when the professor only said "Kuki terrorists" and not referred to the community as a whole in calling for action.

"This dangerous and hate-filled speech must be met with the strictest legal consequences.

Guite is a habitual offender.

Delhi Police reportedly registered an FIR against him in March 2025...The Shirui Lily Festival...is a celebration of cultural heritage, nature, and unity.

The Meetei community's participation in this festival symbolises inclusivity and harmony," the civil group Meitei Heritage Society (MHS) said in a statement.

"It is pertinent to note that this open call for violence is a direct consequence of repeated failures of the authorities to enforce the rule of law...

both the state and central authorities have consistently failed to act decisively.

Guite's act is a manifestation of these lapses that has emboldened extremists like this individual to act with impunity and mock the institutions of the Indian State," the MHS said.

Meitei social media users have also tagged the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Kerala's Kozhikode, with screenshots showing Mr Guite thanking the business school for offering him admission to a PhD programme in management.

(With inputs from NDTV) .

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