Imphal: Backed by a directive from the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) organised coordinated mass protest rallies on Friday across several Kuki-Zo-inhabited districts.
The demonstrations challenged what organisers described as discrimination, partisan investigations and selective legal action by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against the Kuki-Zo population.
The protesters ended the demonstrations by submitting a memorandum addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Churachandpur.
In Churachandpur, the main demonstration began at the Koite village ground, drawing a large crowd of local men and women. Participants carried placards with slogans such as “Enough is Enough”, “Protect Kuki-Zo People”, “NIA: Not Impartial Anymore” and “NIA, Why Pick and Choose?”
The procession moved through the town and ended with a public gathering at the Peace Ground in Tuibong. Similar demonstrations were held in Tengnoupal district, from Loise village to the Tengnoupal Deputy Commissioner’s office, as well as in the Sachi Kana area of Chandel district.
The memorandum submitted to the Union Home Minister contained five demands. The protesters sought an immediate and impartial review of the legal status of individuals linked to the Arambai Tenggol group, with credible allegations to be investigated without political pressure.
They also demanded investigations into the killing of 15 Kuki individuals, including three local pastors, and the burning of villages allegedly carried out by NSCN-IM elements and local groups.
The protesters called for an end to what they described as indefinite and arbitrary detention of Kuki-Zo individuals facing NIA proceedings and sought access to constitutional legal remedies.
The memorandum also called for administrative oversight to ensure that prosecutions are based on evidence rather than community identity. It further sought regular public disclosure of information about major ongoing cases to restore trust in the fairness of federal investigations.
Speaking to the media during the Churachandpur rally, KWOHR president Ngaineikim criticised the NIA’s actions, alleging that its investigations had been biased. “We expected the NIA to stand as an unbiased pillar of justice,” Ngaineikim said.
“Instead, we witness a systemic pattern where Kuki-Zo individuals are rounded up and thrown behind bars, while counterparts linked to dominant factions in the Imphal Valley operate with absolute impunity and freedom.”
Ngaineikim also referred to a recent incident in which armed security personnel allegedly entered a local medical facility to apprehend a youth who was receiving treatment.
She claimed that security personnel fired blank rounds inside the hospital before leaving after facing resistance from local women.
She also raised concerns over pending cases involving alleged sexual violence and deaths of Kuki-Zo women and questioned why those responsible had not been held accountable.