KWOHR decries NIA actions on Kuki-Zo leaders
Source: Chronicle News Service

CCpur/Kpi, May 31 2025: Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) on Saturday organised a sit-in protest at the Wall of Remembrance from 11 am to express strong disapproval of the arrest of Kuki inpi Tengnoupal spokesperson Thangmmlen Mate, and an FIR lodged by NIA and CBI against KSO Delhi leader Paujakhup Guite.

Hundreds of women took part in the protest, vehemently denouncing the arrest of Jhangminlen Mate and the FIR against Paujakhup Guite as unjust and baseless.

The protestors shouted slogans such as "We Want Justice" and "Arbitrary Arrest; Stop, Stop, Stop", while holding placards bearing messages like "Stop the Protection of Murderers: NIA, CBI - Take Action Now", "NIA & CBI Stop Being Complicit in Kuki Genocide", "Release Innocent! Arrest Real Murderers!", and "Uphold the Constitution - Not Ethnic Cleansing", among others.

KWOHR decries NIA actions on Kuki-Zo leaders

The gathering was addressed by KWOHR president Ngaiheikim, Zomi Mothers' Association president and leaders from various women's organisations.

Speaking at the protest, Ngaineikim questioned why Kuki-Zo leaders were being targeted for arrests on flimsy grounds while those accused of violence, murder, and rape against the Kuki-Zo people, like members of Arambai Tenggol, were allowed to roam free.

She accused them of causing harm with impunity and criticised the authorities for selective action.

In Kangpokpi district too, hundreds of Kuki-Zo women staged a peaceful sit-in protest at Brig M Thomas Ground in a show of resistance against what they termed as state-sponsored persecution and arbitrary arrests by central investigative agencies.

Organised by the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), Sadar Hilis chapter, the demonstration saw protestors condemning the alleged targeting of Kuki-Zo individuals by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) .

Civil society leaders accused the agencies of selectively arresting tribals while allowing Meetei elements such as Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun to operate with impunity.

KWOHR noted that since violence erupted on May 3, 2023, over 227 churches had been destroyed, many villages reduced to ashes, and thousands forced to flee Imphal fearing targeted attacks.

The group said that despite multiple FIRs and ongoing "NIA investigations, individuals like Korounganba Khuman, commander of Arambai Tenggol and others allegedly involved in attacks on Kuki-Zo community, remained at large.

The organisation submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging continued administrative apathy and demanding immediate cessation of arbitrary arrests.

It called for neutral judicial reviews, arrest and prosecution of extremist leaders, and fast-track legal action against former CM N Biren for allegedly inciting violence.

The memorandum also reiterated the longstanding demand for constitutional separation under Article 3 to ensure protection of Kuki-Zo rights, alongside equitable representation of tribal officers and restoration of rule of law.

The memorandum warned that continued impunity, discrimination, and inaction would compel them to escalate their protest movement, stating that the CBI and NIA would riot be allowed to operate in their areas without community oversight if arrests of Kuki-Zo individuals without evidence continued.