In its letter, KOHUR said repeated assignment of Meitei judges to sensitive cases in the Manipur High Court has raised concerns about fairness and public confidence in the justice system.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, December 17, 2025 – The Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), a prominent Kuki-Zo human rights group in Manipur, has urged the Chief Justice of India to ensure impartial judicial benches in cases arising from violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The plea, submitted to the Supreme Court on December 17, cites concerns over perceived biases in the Manipur High Court, where judges from the Meitei community have been handling sensitive cases involving the two groups.
In its letter, signed by Chairman H.S. Benjamin Mate, the organization expressed deep apprehension regarding fairness in judicial proceedings. “Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done,” the letter states, emphasizing that assigning Meitei judges to cases involving Kuki community risks undermining public confidence in the judiciary.
KOHUR’s letter underscores the human toll of the violence, noting repeated delays in justice for victims. “We hesitated to write this letter fearing misinterpretation,” Mate wrote. “However, repeated assignment of Meitei judges to these cases compels us to seek intervention. We request neutral judges—neither Meitei nor Kuki—to preside in the High Court and lower courts.”
Earlier this year, on August 10, 2025, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, KOHUR raised similar concerns regarding humanitarian issues, including calls for the release of detained individuals and broader protections for affected communities.
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Legal experts note that requests for reassignment of judges based on community affiliations are rare but not unprecedented in conflict zones, where perceived bias can erode trust in institutions. The Supreme Court has yet to respond to KOHUR’s letter, which could set a precedent for ensuring judicial neutrality in ethnically sensitive disputes.
The appeal comes amid ongoing ethnic clashes that began on May 3, 2023, triggered by Meitei demands for Scheduled Tribe status. The unrest has claimed over 260 lives, displaced tens of thousands, and resulted in widespread destruction of homes, religious sites, and infrastructure. Both sides have reportedly armed themselves, with militias engaging in retaliatory attacks and raiding police armories.
Recent incidents highlight continued fragility. On December 16, 2025, gunfire erupted in Phougakchao Ikhai, Torbung, and Kangvai, targeting Meitei settlements despite ongoing state-led peace initiatives. The Kuki-Zo Council warned that resettlement plans in buffer zones could provoke renewed conflict, complicating rehabilitation efforts for internally displaced persons.
KOHUR, based in Churachandpur, Manipur, can be contacted via kohur.org or email at kumhur96@gmail.com
