Imphal: A somber cloud has descended upon Kangpokpi District following the death of Lalgouthang Singsit at Keithelmanbi Military Colony on March 8th.
The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) has publicly attributed the fatality to actions by central paramilitary forces, igniting a wave of condemnation and calls for accountability.
The KWOHR, in a strongly worded statement, expressed profound disappointment with what they perceive as a stark absence of compassion from government officials. They lamented the apparent neglect of the Kuki community’s long-standing grievances, asserting that Singsit’s death could have been averted had the authorities genuinely acknowledged and addressed the community’s plight. The organization extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
The group directed sharp criticism towards the “Free Movement” initiative in Manipur, dismissing it as an ill-conceived attempt to project an image of normalcy without tackling the root causes of the prevailing unrest. KWOHR representatives branded the program a mere “populist stunt” that, in their view, places the Kuki community in further jeopardy.
“It is inconceivable that a democratic society would turn a blind eye to the profound suffering endured by a community that has weathered nearly two years of unremitting hardship,” the statement conveyed, underscoring the organization’s sense of injustice.
The KWOHR challenged the government’s claims of enhanced security, citing the continued circulation of weapons looted from state armories, which they allege have been deployed in attacks against Kuki villages. They dismissed the reported surrender of “a few rifles” as a grossly inadequate response to the systemic security failures they perceive.
The organization further characterized the imposition of President’s Rule as a mere public relations maneuver intended to obscure the injustices inflicted upon the Kuki people. They accused both the central and state governments of engaging in a concerted effort to erase the Kuki community’s suffering from the historical record.
According to KWOHR, peaceful Kuki women protesters have been subjected to violence at the hands of central forces. Despite these challenges, the organization vowed that the community’s resistance would endure, stating, “We may be small in number, but we possess the spirit and resilience to resist oppression—just as we did against the British Empire.”
The organization concluded its statement by asserting that a durable peace can only be achieved through a political resolution, specifically demanding the creation of a Union Territory with a legislature. “Our people will accept nothing less. The Kuki struggle will continue until our rightful political aspirations are met,” the statement declared.
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