Amid rising tensions in Manipur, Kuki Inpi has fiercely rejected accusations that the pro-Khalistan group SFJ is trying to sow divisions between Kuki Christians and India. Spokesperson Kim Haopik emphasized the community’s loyalty to India, stressing that they are only seeking a separate administrative setup for the safety and dignity of their people.
BY PC Bureau
Kuki_Inpi, the apex body of Kuki organizations in Manipur, has strongly rejected the allegations that the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) incited Christians in the state to break away from Manipur.
Calling the accusation absurd, Kim Haopik, spokesperson for Kuki_Inpi Delhi, stated that such “canards” have been spread by the community’s enemies for years and that no one in their right mind would believe them.
“We are used to such canards. No one should question our loyalty. Everyone knows who boycotted the Republic Day celebrations in Manipur and who participated. Everyone knows how Kuki Christians laid down their lives for India as part of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA) fighting the British. All we want is a separate union territory to live our own lives with dignity and security,” she said.
Kim said allegations linking Manipur Christians to Sikh separatist groups began circulating after Lien Gangte, a Manipur Christian now settled in Canada, visited a Gurdwara following the May 3, 2023, ethnic clashes in Manipur.
Lien Gangte is the president of the North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA), a non-profit organization focused on preserving the heritage, lives, and lands of the tribal people of Manipur, as well as promoting their culture, history, and advocating for their rights.
ALSO READ: Banned Sikh Outfit Allegedly incited Manipur Christians to secede
“Lien was devastated by what happened to us, the Kukis, in Manipur when the clashes broke out on May 3,” Kim said. “His own house in Imphal, which also contained the tomb of his mother, was razed. He went to the Gurdwara to seek solace, and that’s when this nonsense started.”
Kim further asserted that Kuki organizations have repeatedly made it clear that they are not advocating for a separatist state but are fighting for their dignity and safety. “After the way we were butchered in the aftermath of the May 3, 2023, violence, it’s impossible to co-exist. We want a separate administrative setup for us. What’s wrong with that? But to say that we are hand in glove with some banned outfit to fight against the country is outlandish,” she said.
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is a pro-Khalistan organization that advocates for the creation of an independent Sikh state. Founded in 2007 and based in the United States, SFJ is banned in India under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for its alleged involvement in promoting separatism and anti-India activities. The organization is known for its “Referendum 2020” campaign, which sought to mobilize global Sikh support for Khalistan. Indian authorities have accused SFJ of inciting violence, radicalizing youth, and receiving support from hostile foreign entities.
A background note prepared by security agencies and submitted by the Union Home Ministry to a tribunal, which upheld the ban on SFJ, stated that SFJ is allegedly “inciting Christians in Manipur to secede from India.” The note also mentioned that SFJ and its legal advisor, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, have allegedly incited Sikh personnel in the Indian Army and police to abandon their posts. Additionally, the government claims that the organization has been colluding with gangsters, terrorists, and Kashmiri separatists while continuing to receive support from Pakistan.
