Northeast Desk, 13th October: The World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC) has made an appeal to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to reexamine the allegations against Kuki militant groups in connection with recent violence in Manipur. The WKZIC emphasized the need for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the matter.
In a letter addressed to NIA Director Dinkar Gupta, IPS, the WKZIC requested a review by the agency, asserting that four Kuki militant groups have been wrongly accused as the forces behind the crisis in Manipur. The letter underlined the history of these Kuki militant groups, formed in the late 1980s to protect Kuki civilians who faced persecution and violence from larger and more powerful communities. It mentioned that these groups, including KNO-UPF, have been under “Suspension of Operation” (SoO) agreements with the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of Manipur (GoM) for a significant period, with their weapons secured, residing in designated camps, and receiving stipends from GoI.
The WKZIC pointed out that the recent violence, which took place on May 3, 2023, resulted from an attack by the Meitei community on minority Zo ethnic Kukis, shortly after the TRIBAL SOLIDARITY MARCH in all the hill districts of Manipur.
The letter also mentioned that Kuki populations in Greater Imphal Valley districts suffered losses, with hundreds killed, and Kuki colonies in Inner Manipur Kangleipak were set ablaze. Approximately 80 Kuki villages in the peripheries of Manipur were also reportedly burnt down, leading to Kuki residents seeking shelter in Security Force Centers.
The WKZIC expressed concern about the NIA’s allegations against KNO-UPF constituent units, such as ZRA, KNA, and KNF (N), which have signed SoO agreements with GoI as Kuki groups, while ignoring the involvement of 11 outlawed Meitei Manipuri militant groups. The WKZIC urged the NIA to investigate the matter, gather information from Central Security Personnel deployed in Kuki-dominated areas in outer Manipur, and ensure that accurate information is used in the investigations to prevent further suffering for the minority Kuki population.