Despite a two-week deadline set by the NHRC, the Manipur government has yet to provide an Action Taken Report on human rights violations detailed in a complaint by KOHUR, raising concerns about the state’s commitment to human rights.
BY PC Bureau
April 6, 2025 –
The Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR), an NGO with UN Special Consultative Status, has issued a strong reminder to the Manipur state government, demanding the submission of an Action Taken Report (ATR) regarding alleged human rights violations in the state.
In a letter dated April 5, 2025, addressed to the Chief Secretary of Manipur, KOHUR Chairman H.S. Benjamin Mate referenced a directive issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on February 27, 2025. The NHRC directive, concerning Law Division Case No. 3/14/0/2025, instructed the Manipur government to take necessary action on a complaint of human rights violations filed by KOHUR on October 22, 2024, and to submit an ATR within two weeks.
KOHUR has expressed its concern over the lack of response, stating that no ATR has been received and no action has been initiated to their knowledge within the stipulated timeframe. The organization asserted in its letter that this “continued delay not only undermines the human rights protection framework but also raises serious questions about the commitment of the state administration to uphold constitutional values.”
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Highlighting the gravity of the alleged violations, KOHUR has urged the Manipur government to provide an immediate update on the status of the case. The rights group has requested a response within seven days of receiving their memorandum, warning of potential further action if the state fails to comply. KOHUR also cautioned that the ongoing non-compliance could prompt the NHRC to issue stricter directives and initiate legal proceedings.
The reminder included copies of KOHUR’s original complaint to the NHRC and the NHRC’s directives for reference. Registered in Churachandpur, Manipur, since 2009, KOHUR has been a prominent voice advocating for human rights in the region.
The NHRC’s initial directive followed Kohur’s complaint of October last year, accusing the majority Meitei community of orchestrating targeted violence against the Kuki-Zo people with alleged backing from state machinery. KOHUR described the ongoing violence as “anti-human, anti-tribal, anti-constitutional, and anti-national,” calling for urgent NHRC intervention.
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In its February directive, the NHRC acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, noting the submission of press clippings and photographic evidence. The Commission directed its Registry to forward the complaint to the Chief Secretary of Manipur, demanding an ATR within 15 days.
When contacted by The Power Corridors, KOHUR Chairman H.S. Benjamin Mate stated that he has received no communication from the state government regarding any action taken on their complaint. “At least, I ‘ve no received any communication from anyone on the government,” he said.
In its detailed complaint to the NHRC, KOHUR alleged a “state-sponsored ethnic cleansing pogrom” against the Kuki-Zo minority community by the dominant Meitei community, asserting that the violence, which began on May 3, 2023, was premeditated and orchestrated by the Meitei-dominated Manipur state government in collaboration with Meitei militant organizations.
KOHUR claimed that armed Meitei militias, allegedly supported by state forces, carried out widespread atrocities, including murder, looting, destruction of property, and the razing of villages. The organization further alleged the state government provided arms to Meitei militias and pursued a policy aimed at the “cleansing” or “annihilation” of the Kuki-Zo population.
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The organization also detailed a series of events preceding the May 2023 violence, which they argue demonstrated a pattern of engineered dissent and provocation by the state government, including the removal of commemorative memorials, targeting of Kuki-Zo poppy cultivators, orders for arms license submissions, government eviction drives in Kuki-Zo villages, suppression of peaceful tribal rallies, withdrawal of AFSPA from valley districts, cancellation of official documents for villages in reserved forests, and mob violence.
The Manipur government has yet to respond to KOHUR’s reminder. The situation remains under close observation by human rights organizations monitoring the state’s adherence to the NHRC’s directives
