Imphal: Hundreds of Kuki-Zo residents staged a protest rally in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Tuesday, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of three community leaders arrested following the July 11 unrest at Leimakhong.
The rally, organised by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), began at Nute Kailhang in Kangpokpi and proceeded along National Highway-2 to Brig. M. Thomas Ground. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans demanding the release of the detained leaders and condemning what they termed “selective justice”.
The demonstrators were protesting the arrests of Hengjang village chief K. Lhouvum, Ngamboi Haokip and Pagin Hangshing, who were taken into custody following the July 11 incident.
Following the rally, CoTU submitted a memorandum to Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, stating that the three leaders had intervened only to calm agitated crowds and were not involved in instigating the violence.
In the memorandum, the organisation alleged “biased” and “selective” action by the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and other state security forces. It claimed the unrest was triggered by public frustration over the alleged failure of the authorities to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities, food and medicines to Kangpokpi.
CoTU also alleged that Kuki-Zo civil society leaders and their families were being subjected to unwarranted searches and harassment. It claimed that the residence of Bongphajol village chief Douminlal Haokip was searched by CRPF CoBRA personnel on the night of July 12 without a valid search memo or the presence of local police.
The organisation urged the state government to halt the alleged harassment of Kuki civil society leaders and ensure that future search operations strictly follow legal procedures, including the issuance of valid search memos and the presence of local police.