NOTE: This article is the result of our outreach to both the Kuki and Meitei communities, providing them with the PowerCorridors platform for healthy debate and discussion on issues pertaining to Manipur, along with suggestions for the way forward. I invite all of you to contribute your thoughts, with just one condition—no incitement to violence or hate-mongering.
The views expressed are personal and The PowerCorridors does not endorse them.
Navin Upadhyay
Editor, PowerCorridors.in
BY Gunlien Haokip (@fakebuster007)
The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) has made a shocking and ill-advised decision to hold I-League 2 matches in Imphal, Manipur, despite the ongoing ethnic conflict that has torn the state apart for nearly two years. This move raises serious questions about AIFF’s priorities—does football matter more than human lives? In a country as vast as India, what compels AIFF to choose a state still reeling from violence, bloodshed, and deep ethnic divisions?
The I-League is one of India’s top professional football leagues, organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). It was India’s premier football league before the Indian Super League (ISL) gained prominence. The league features clubs from across the country and serves as a crucial platform for developing Indian football talent.
A State Still in Turmoil
The ethnic conflict in Manipur remains unresolved, and the wounds are far from healed. Holding matches in a region where thousands have been displaced, where justice remains elusive, and where fear lingers in the air is nothing short of reckless. AIFF’s insistence on pushing ahead with games in Manipur ignores the ground reality—that the state is still polarised, and tensions could reignite at any moment.
Kuki-Zo Players Have No Place in Imphal
How does AIFF expect Kuki-Zo players from other teams to even set foot in Imphal, a place where their community was brutally targeted? The atrocities committed against Kukis—killings, rapes, and relentless persecution—are still fresh in memory. Even after the violence, clubs like TRAU and NEROCA, based in Manipur, have shown blatant bias by not signing Kuki players, even when matches were played at neutral venues. The discrimination extends beyond clubs—Kuki players were not even considered for Manipur’s Santosh Trophy squad. If they weren’t given a fair chance when games were played outside the state, what guarantee is there that they will be treated well in Imphal?
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The Myth of Security in Manipur
AIFF may argue that security measures will be in place, but what good are security forces when they have been complicit in the very violence that tore Manipur apart? It was under the watch of these same forces that over 6,000 weapons and 15 lakh rounds of ammunition were looted. More than 100 Kukis were mercilessly targeted, while the state’s law enforcement either stood by or actively participated. Manipur remains a ticking time bomb, and hosting I-League 2 games there is an open invitation for disaster.
The AIFF @IndianFootball is making a huge mistake forcing I-League 2 clubs to play in #Manipur. The last time Mizoram vs. Manipur played in Nagaland, a so-called neutral venue, there was a fight and people ended up in the hospital. Now AIFF wants Kuki-Mizo players to stay in… pic.twitter.com/SsatdaGZlb
— Min งึลมินธัง (@ngulmint) February 26, 2025
President’s Rule Doesn’t Change the Reality
Some may argue that with President’s Rule in place, the situation has improved. But that’s a delusion AIFF cannot afford to believe. The state’s governor issued an ultimatum for looted weapons to be surrendered, yet militant groups like Arambai Tenggol—the main perpetrators of the May 3, 2023 carnage—have outright rejected it. These groups, armed with sophisticated weapons, continue to enjoy the backing of radical civil society organizations like Meira Paibis and COCOMI. How can AIFF claim that Manipur is safe when thousands of deadly weapons are still in public hands?
Safety Concerns for All Players
This isn’t just about Kuki players. Even athletes from other parts of India face a serious risk in Manipur, given the deep-seated animosity that some Meitei groups hold against mainland Indians. The long history of hostility towards outsiders should be reason enough to rethink AIFF’s decision. The risk is simply too great.
Football Shouldn’t Be a Political Tool
Most importantly, football should never be used to serve a political agenda. AIFF’s political leanings are no secret, but as the governing body of the world’s most beloved sport, it has a moral responsibility to rise above politics and act in the best interests of the players. The decision to hold I-League 2 matches in Manipur is not about promoting football—it is about pushing a narrative that ignores the pain of thousands who have suffered in the state’s ethnic strife.
Shift I-League 2 Out of Manipur Immediately
If AIFF genuinely cares about the sport and its players, it must relocate I-League 2 matches out of Manipur at the earliest. There are plenty of alternative venues across India that can ensure safety, fairness, and inclusivity for all. Kuki-Zo players have already lost so much—homes, families, opportunities. AIFF must not rob them of their right to play football as well.
Football should be a unifying force, not a reason to deepen divides. AIFF has the chance to make a responsible decision. The quest
