Manipur: Kuki-Zo community protests removal of Assam Rifles; mass agitation planned

Protests erupted on September 7 in Motbung Model Village, Kangpokpi, as the Kuki-Zo community, under the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) Sadar Hills, began agitations against the removal of the 9th and 22nd Assam Rifles from Kuki-Zo-dominated areas. The committee argues that the removal of these battalions, which have played a crucial role in protecting the Kuki-Zo community, was arbitrary and appeases the demands of the Meitei community.

The protest, held as a peaceful sit-in, saw hundreds of Kuki-Zo demonstrators, primarily women, raising their voices against the government’s decision. Protesters chanted powerful slogans including “Don't Remove Assam Rifles,” “Removing Assam Rifles is Removing Peace,” “Audio Leak Should be Investigated,” “Birenji… Bomb Marta Hai Kya?,” and “We Demand Union Territory.” These slogans reflect the community’s deep concern and their belief that the safety and peace of their region are directly tied to the presence of the Assam Rifles.

Ng. Lun Kipgen, spokesperson for CoTU, emphasized that the recent violence in fringe areas like Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Kangpokpi, and Imphal West is a direct result of the Ministry of Home Affairs' appeasement of Meitei groups who demanded the removal of the Assam Rifles from conflict zones. He pointed out that this decision coincided with the release of an audio recording allegedly featuring Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh admitting to violence against the Kuki-Zo community.

The Committee also criticized the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), which it claims played a key role in the battalions' removal by alleging partiality towards the Kuki-Zo. The Kuki-Zo leadership stressed that the Assam Rifles have been instrumental in neutralizing violent separatist groups and militias attacking Kuki-Zo volunteers defending their hill regions.

The Kuki-Zo community has called for mass fasting prayers on Sunday in their respective churches across Sadar Hills, which will be followed by a massive rally on Monday. The rally aims to intensify the agitation if the central government does not reverse the order to remove the Assam Rifles.

A Kuki-Zo women’s leader, speaking at the protest, pleaded with the Union Home Minister to reconsider the decision, underscoring that the lives and safety of the Kuki-Zo people rest in the hands of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Committee urged the Government of India to acknowledge the complex governance dynamics in Manipur, which include the state government, armed groups like Arambai Tenggol, and COCOMI, all of which wield significant influence and have created a parallel system of governance. Given these challenges, the Kuki-Zo community argues that Union Territory status under Article 239A is the only path to lasting peace and stability.

The Committee also demanded the immediate reinstatement of the 9th and 22nd Assam Rifles in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi and called for the establishment of buffer zones between Kuki-Zo and Meitei areas. They stressed the need for swift negotiations between the Government of India and Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups to restore peace.

The Committee warned that failure to address their demands, including an investigation into the leaked audio involving N. Biren Singh, would force them to escalate their protests. They hold the Ministry of Home Affairs accountable for any further unrest resulting from the current situation.