By NE NOW NEWS
Imphal: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) on Sunday observed the third anniversary of the Manipur conflict as “Separation Day”, renewing its demand for a separate Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo community.
In a statement issued on the occasion, the apex Kuki body said the three years since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023 had been marked by prolonged suffering, alleging discrimination, institutional bias and selective enforcement of law by the state government.
The organisation said recent developments, including the arrest of social leader Okthokhang Baite, reflected what it described as arbitrary action based on questionable inputs, which had further deepened mistrust even as those allegedly involved in serious violence continued to evade accountability.
Highlighting the humanitarian impact of the conflict, KIM said thousands of Kuki-Zo people continued to face trauma, displacement and loss of livelihood, adding that the prolonged unrest had severely affected the community’s social, economic and psychological well-being.
The organisation maintained that the present administrative arrangement was neither sustainable nor just and asserted that the community could no longer continue under conditions that, in its view, denied dignity, justice and constitutional safeguards.
Calling upon the Government of India to acknowledge the “ground realities”, KIM urged immediate and accountable measures towards what it termed a just and equitable political solution, while reiterating its long-standing demand for a separate administrative arrangement.
It also appealed for unity among Kuki-Zo communities and urged people to remain committed to their pursuit of justice while remembering those killed during the violence.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) issued a separate statement criticising the authorities and alleging that Kuki-Zo lives continued to be treated with indifference even three years after the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur.
The rights body sought a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the events of May 2023 and accused the then government led by N. Biren Singh of presiding over what it described as a systematic campaign of ethnic violence allegedly carried out in coordination with armed groups.
KOHUR alleged that despite documented claims of killings, sexual violence and arson, there had been little accountability in several major cases, describing the situation as a collapse of the rule of law.
Referring to the attack on BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte during the violence, the organisation said the incident showed that even elected representatives were not spared, raising wider concerns over public safety and accountability.
The organisation further alleged that the looting of weapons from state armouries and subsequent attacks on Kuki-Zo villages reflected a pattern that was either enabled or ignored by elements within the state machinery.
KOHUR demanded a time-bound probe under Supreme Court supervision, immediate prosecution of those involved in major attacks, disclosure of forensic and digital evidence, and legal action against all identified perpetrators.
It also called for a ban on armed groups allegedly linked to the violence and sought rehabilitation and reparations for displaced persons still living in relief camps.
Stating that victims continued to feel abandoned while perpetrators remained unpunished, the organisation said it would continue pursuing accountability through legal and institutional forums.