Kuki Students' Organisation stages peaceful rally in Kangpokpi, demands Biren Singh's arrest over 'Manipur Tapes'

A 7-km-long protest rally organised by the Kuki Students' Organisation from Keithelmanbi Military Colony to Kangpokpi District Headquarters culminated peacefully in Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi district on August 31 without any untoward incidents.
 

The protest was held as part of a nationwide rally organised against the "Manipur Tapes," which allegedly implicate the Chief Minister in state-sponsored ethnic cleansing against the Kuki-Zo community and call for the establishment of a Kuki-Zo Union Territory.
 

The rally saw the participation of thousands of the Kuki-Zo community across the district. 
 

Various tribal organisations, including Thadou Students' Association, Zillai, Gangte Students' Organisation, CoTU, SAHILCA, among others supported and endorsed the rally.
 

The rally commenced at noon, with thousands of participants marching along National Highway 2 on foot and reaching the District Headquarters at around 2 pm. 
 

The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District, submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking the immediate arrest of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh over his alleged involvement in the "Manipur Tapes". The memorandum highlighted ongoing ethnic violence and alleged persecution of the Kuki-Zo community by the majority Meitei community since May 3, 2023.
 

The KSO accused Chief Minister N Biren Singh of openly admitting to leading a violent campaign against the Kuki-Zo community, referencing a recently surfaced audio recording in which the Chief Minister allegedly boasts about orchestrating attacks on Kuki-Zo villages with the support of state forces. The students’ body argues that this recording proves the complicity of the Manipur government in the violence against the Kuki-Zo minority.
 

Following are the key demands outlined in the memorandum which was submitted to PM Modi:
 

1. Immediate Arrest of CM N Biren Singh: The KSO demands the immediate arrest and criminal investigation of the Chief Minister, supervised by the Supreme Court of India, and accountability for all ministers and officials involved in the violence against the Kuki-Zo community.
 

2. Strengthening of Buffer Zones: The KSO emphasized the crucial role of the Assam Rifles in maintaining peace and protecting vulnerable areas. They urged the government to reinforce the presence of this neutral force, expressing concerns that other central armed police forces are not adequately equipped to manage the situation.
 

3. Interim Administration for Kuki-Zo Areas: Highlighting the dire administrative and infrastructural conditions in Kuki-Zo areas, which remain cut off from Manipur’s capital, Imphal, the KSO proposed an interim central administration to address immediate needs and prevent further lawlessness.
 

4. Formation of Union Territory with Legislature: The KSO asserted that the current situation demonstrates the inability of the Kuki-Zo and Meetei communities to coexist peacefully. They demanded the creation of a separate Union Territory with its own legislature to ensure the security and developmental needs of the Kuki-Zo people.
 

The memorandum concludes with a plea for PM Modi’s immediate intervention, stating that these measures are essential for the safety and future of the Kuki-Zo community amid ongoing ethnic violence and persecution.
 

In connection with the rally and memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, KSO Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District General Secretary, K. Shongreng urged the Central government to expedite the genuine demands of the community stating that these measures are essential for the safety and future of the Kuki-Zo community.