Amid growing tensions, the Assam Rifles faces allegations of bias after Naga students blocked their vehicle and accused them of siding with Kuki insurgents.
BY PC Bureau
A controversy has erupted in Manipur after Naga students intercepted an Assam Rifles vehicle allegedly escorting a Kuki insurgent leader in the early hours of February 22 in a village in the Naga-dominated Senapati district. The incident, captured on video, has sparked accusations that the Assam Rifles is colluding with Kuki militants amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state.
At a press conference, Saloni Toni, president of the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA), condemned the incident and demanded an explanation from the Director General of Assam Rifles.
“This incident shows clear collusion between Assam Rifles and Kuki militants. Why are security forces secretly escorting armed insurgents at night? We demand an immediate response from the Assam Rifles leadership,” Toni stated.
The Assam Rifles @official_dgar personnel were apprehended red-handed while escorting Chin-Kuki-Zo terrorist groups, particularly UPF (SoO) in Senapati District, Manipur yesterday.
In these trying times of Manipur something terrible seems to be still working behind the scenes.… pic.twitter.com/evi3VyFKQv
— BiMoL L (@Bimol27lyz) February 23, 2025
Viral Video Sparks Outrage
A widely circulated video shows Naga students blocking an Assam Rifles vehicle and questioning both the security personnel and the Kuki insurgent, identified as Aron. In the footage, students are heard asking,
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“How could you escort militants at night? Have you ever done this for any other community in Manipur? Or is this part of some drug or arms deal?”
Under intense questioning, Aaron identified himself as a civilian representative of the United People’s Front (UPF) and insisted he was unarmed. He was accompanied by a driver and an assistant, all traveling in an Assam Rifles vehicle.
Notably, Aron is the husband of Nemcha Kipgen, an MLA representing Saitu constituency in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Video Sparks Controversy: @AssamRifles4 Allegedly Escorted Militants, Claims SDSA
A video accessed by Northeast Scoop has sparked controversy, showing a heated exchange between Naga leaders and individuals allegedly belonging to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) group in… pic.twitter.com/IZtzWRCeiH— Northeast Scoop (@ScoopNE) February 24, 2025
WHAT IS UPF?
The United People’s Front (UPF) is an umbrella organization of Kuki-Zo insurgent groups engaged in peace talks with the Indian government. Along with the Kuki National Organization (KNO), UPF signed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement in 2005, under which its member groups agreed to cease hostilities while negotiations continue.
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Condemning the alleged collusion, Tony questioned whether the Assam Rifles was deliberately trying to destabilize the region and create distrust among the people of Senapati.
Attempts to malign Assam Rifles?
The Assam Rifles has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, sources close to the matter claim that Aaron was being escorted for his own safety after a heated exchange with Naga civil society groups earlier in the day.
“Aaron had attended an official state administration meeting on the ongoing crisis. There was tension, and threats were made. Escorting him was a precautionary measure,” a senior security official said on condition of anonymity. ” This is nothing but an attempt to malign the image of security forces.”
The source also pointed out that Aaron was unarmed and questioning why Naga groups were raising objections.
“There are numerous photos and videos showing Naga militants openly carrying weapons in Senapati. Why is there no outrage over that? Why is an unarmed man being escorted after an official meeting suddenly a scandal?” the official asked.
The official pointed out that Aaron was part of the UPF’s civil society wing and not an insurgent. ” When the government of India is in peace with this group, why can’t we escort them to safety?” he asked.
Meitei Heritage Society Call It a ‘Scandal’
Meanwhile, Meitei groups have expressed outrage on social media, calling the incident proof of Assam Rifles’ bias. The Meitei Heritage Society shared the viral video on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:
“Disturbing video of Assam Rifles personnel secretly escorting Kuki militants under SoO agreement. How can security forces protect civilians if they are caught red-handed siding with militants?”
🚨 Disturbing video of some @official_dgar personnel apprehended by Naga Students secretly ‘escorting Kuki Militants under SoO Agreement in the wee hours’.
📍While there is mountain of evidence of violations of SoO conditions by the Chin Kuki ilitants, and allegation of certain… pic.twitter.com/OezzilDNyG
— Meitei Heritage Society (@meiteiheritage) February 24, 2025
The post also questioned the impartiality of security forces, accusing them of failing to prevent Kuki militants from attacking Meitei villages.
“While there is mountain of evidence of violations of SoO conditions by the Chin Kuki ilitants, and allegation of certain personnel of @official_dgar working with the Militants, this is perhaps the first case of being apprehended red handed and recorded. Instead of ensuring the Militants stay in designated camps, why and where was the AR personnel secretly escorting the Militants to? Dear @BhallaAjay26 , on one hand you appeal for surrender of arms, which we appreciate, how can you instill public confidence when Security Forces supposed to protect civilians are caught in such embarrassing act. It only creates fears among civilians impartiality of certain AR officials and reinforces allegations of siding with Kuki Militants. With such actions, how can you guarantee the protection of life and property of Meitei civilians from these Security Forces.”
Another user by the name Shan@shanjoym has this to say: @RajBhavManipurGovernor must give statement of where SoO agreement is, how many Guns&Cadres are? PersonalGuarantees of MonitoringBodies (AssamRifles DG/ChiefofArmyStaff) mustbe given that SoO kuki Terrorists&Guns are 100% secured! No2 Civilian Guns Recovery b4 SoO guns clarity!
As tensions escalate, the incident has further deepened ethnic divisions in Manipur, where clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have resulted in months of violence, displacement, and mistrust.
