The KIWMC’s letter described the Kuki Inn as a “living symbol of identity and remembrance” for the community, urging its recognition as a protected cultural heritage landmark of Manipur.
BY PC Bureau
November 9, 2025: The Kuki Independence War Memorial Committee (KIWMC) has appealed to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to intervene urgently for the protection and preservation of the Kuki Inn Estate in Babupara, Imphal — a heritage complex commemorating the Kuki resistance against British colonial rule during the 1917–1919 Kuki Rising.
In a detailed letter dated November 7, 2025, the KIWMC, represented by its secretary Dr. Vumkhoneh Haokip, described the Kuki Inn as a “living symbol of identity, unity, and remembrance” that now lies abandoned and vulnerable amid the ongoing ethnic conflict. The Committee urged the Governor to ensure full security for the site, initiate restoration work for damaged structures, and declare the estate a protected cultural landmark of Manipur.
The Kuki Inn, located near the New Secretariat Building in Imphal, was established with government support to honour the sacrifices of over 120 Kuki warriors who died resisting British forces during the Kuki Uprising of 1917–1919. The memorial complex includes a three-storied museum, community hall, and two monuments — one dedicated to the heroes of the uprising and another to Kuki freedom fighters who served under the Indian National Army (INA).
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According to the KIWMC, the outbreak of violence in May 2023 forced the entire Kuki community to flee Imphal, leaving the estate unguarded. One of the buildings within the complex was reportedly set ablaze in the early days of the conflict, and fears of encroachment and neglect now threaten what was once a proud symbol of the community’s history.
“What once stood as a proud reminder of our people’s sacrifice now lies silent and unguarded,” the KIWMC’s letter stated. “If this heritage is lost, a part of Manipur’s shared soul will fade with it.”
The Committee stressed that the issue transcends community boundaries, saying the Kuki Inn represents a chapter of resistance and resilience that forms part of Manipur’s collective past.
“By safeguarding this historic site, Your Honour will reaffirm the ideals of unity, respect, and inclusiveness that define our shared destiny,” the letter further noted, urging the Governor to act as a custodian of Manipur’s multi-ethnic heritage.
The appeal comes amid wider concerns about the preservation of heritage sites belonging to displaced communities in the Imphal Valley following the 2023 ethnic violence, which displaced thousands and left a deep social divide between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo populations.
