Imphal: Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has condemned the ongoing arrests of Kuki-Zo community members by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), alleging that the action is arbitrary, politically motivated and marked by selective enforcement.
In a statement, the organisation criticised the recent arrest and charging of Kuki-Zo individuals from Leilon village and the Leimakhong area in Kangpokpi district. It alleged that the arrests were aimed at addressing public and political pressure over the killing of six Naga individuals rather than being based on an impartial investigation.
KIM claimed that the investigating agency had moved swiftly in the case of the six Naga deaths while failing to act on the deaths of 15 Kuki-Zo individuals, whom it alleged were killed by the NSCN-IM and its proxy, the ZUF-K.
The organisation alleged that the contrasting response reflected a double standard, with investigations being expedited only in cases that attracted political or public attention, while cases involving Kuki-Zo victims remained uninvestigated.
Reaffirming its support for the rule of law, KIM said justice should be administered without fear or favour and should not be used to target innocent individuals or satisfy political considerations.
The organisation called for an immediate halt to what it described as arbitrary arrests of Kuki-Zo individuals without verified evidence. It also demanded a transparent and impartial investigation into all cases, including the deaths of the 15 Kuki-Zo individuals, along with judicial oversight to ensure investigating agencies function independently of political pressure.
The organisation also appealed to human rights organisations, civil society groups and the judiciary to take note of what it described as double standards in the investigation process and to oppose arbitrary detentions.