By NE NOW NEWS
Imphal: Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) on Tuesday expressed concern over the arrest of four Kuki-Zo individuals in connection with the disappearance of six Naga persons, alleging selective action by authorities while claiming there had been no visible progress in the investigation into the killing of three Kuki-Zo church leaders earlier this month.
In a statement, the organisation said the continued “silence and inaction” surrounding the killing of the three church leaders had caused “immense pain and anguish” among the Kuki-Zo community.
The group also alleged that 14 Kuki-Zo individuals continued to remain in “illegal detention” under the custody and influence of a students’ body and other civil society organisations in Senapati district.
The organisation claimed that despite extensive search operations and investigations in Kuki-Zo areas, there had been little effort to investigate the killing of the three church leaders, who were murdered on May 13.
Kuki Inpi Manipur said the arrest of the four Kuki-Zo individuals, while the perpetrators in the church leaders’ killing remained at large, would be perceived by the community as a “grave injustice”.
The organisation urged investigating agencies and authorities to ensure “fairness, sincerity and impartiality” in handling cases involving all communities.
It also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the 14 detained Kuki-Zo individuals and sought the arrest of those responsible for the killing of the church leaders.
The organisation further warned that “arbitrary arrests and selective actions” at a sensitive time could aggravate tensions in the violence-hit state.
“The Kuki-Zo people seek neither privilege nor prejudice, but truth, equality and constitutional principles,” the statement said.