Kuki National Organisation (KNO) leader Seilen Haokip alleged that security forces were selectively going after Kuki-Zo cadres while ignoring the activities of the NSCN (IM).
“The security forces are going after our boys, but the Manipur Police and security forces have given free rein to NSCN (IM),” Haokip told reporters in New Delhi.
“If anyone lives under the illusion that Kuki-Zo people could be intimidated and silenced through such tactics, they are being foolish,” he said.
United People’s Front (UPF) leader Aaron Kipgen separately accused the NSCN (IM) and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF)’s Kamsong group of being behind the killing of three Kuki-Zo pastors in May this year.
“I can vouch that NSCN (I-M) and ZUF’s Kamsong group were behind the killing of three Kuki-Zo pastors in May this year,” Kipgen said.
“I’ve seen videos in which their cadres are seen moving in the area at night where the three pastors were ambushed,” he said.
Kipgen did not publicly produce the videos during the press conference, and his allegation could not be independently verified.
Seilen Haokip questioned how armed cadres of the NSCN (IM) could allegedly move freely through the Manipur hills without attracting the attention of the security forces.
“NSCN (I-M) armed cadres are freely moving around in the hills of Manipur. Are the security forces not aware of their presence? Who is protecting them?” Haokip asked.
He further questioned whether the NSCN (IM) was receiving protection or tacit support that allowed its cadres to operate in areas inhabited by Kuki-Zo villagers.
“Who is abetting them to target Kuki-Zo villagers?” he asked, alleging that the government and security agencies were adopting a selective approach towards armed groups operating in the state
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Aaaron Kipgen contrasted what he described as the free movement of NSCN (IM) cadres with the security forces’ action against Kuki-Zo cadres covered by the Suspension of Operations agreement.
“If the security forces can identify, raid and arrest our boys, how can they claim they are unaware of the presence and activities of NSCN (I-M) cadres?” he asked.
He said such alleged double standards were deepening mistrust among the Kuki-Zo community and undermining the credibility of the peace process.
The two leaders also criticised the recent security operation at a Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) camp in Kangpokpi, saying it violated the SoO framework.
“This is outrageous. According to the SoO framework, such raids were not allowed, and any inspection could take place only with the district police’s help. In this case, the police was not present and the KLA cadre was arrested,” Haokip said.
READ: Kuki-Zo Leaders: Force Can’t Bring Peace, Press Centre for Manipur UT
Kipgen alleged that several NSCN (IM) camps were operating in Manipur without similar action being taken against them.
“You expect us to turn a blind eye to such one-sided action against our boys. This is not going to happen,” he said, adding that the CRPF’s CoBRA unit could not expect to bring peace through force.
The KNO and UPF leaders said security operations alone could not resolve the conflict and that the political demands of the Kuki-Zo groups had to be addressed for a lasting settlement.
They reiterated their demand for a Union Territory with its own legislature, describing it as the only viable constitutional and political settlement for the Kuki-Zo community.
The leaders also rejected any return to the pre-May 2023 status quo, arguing that the violence and displacement of the past three years had fundamentally altered relations between the communities.
