The KNO, and UPF said Kuki groups under Suspension of Operations would not target visiting sportspersons and expressed sympathy for the young athletes who reported being traumatised.
BY PC Bureau
January 19: The United People’s Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) on Sunday strongly condemned the alleged gunpoint extortion of the Rajasthan school Wushu team during their return journey from the 69th National School Games in Manipur, while firmly denying any involvement of Kuki militants in the incident.
In a joint statement issued on January 19, the two umbrella organisations described the incident as “deeply unfortunate” and said they were concerned that allegations had been levelled against “Kuki militants” as the culprits. The UPF and KNO asserted that Kuki groups, which are currently under Suspension of Operations (SoO) and engaged in political dialogue with the Government of India, would not indulge in such acts against visiting sportspersons from another state.
“We strongly condemn the heinous act committed against our fellow citizens from Rajasthan. Under no circumstances would Kukis indulge in such activities. We rather extend a warm welcome and thank them for visiting our land,” the statement said, while expressing sympathy for the young athletes and wishing them success in future competitions.
The clarification comes amid allegations by members of the Rajasthan school Wushu team that they were extorted at gunpoint by suspected Kuki militants while returning from Imphal. The Rajasthan contingent, comprising 52 school-level athletes, including boys and girls, had participated in the National School Games and delivered a strong performance, with the girls’ team securing first place and the boys’ team finishing second.
Rajasthan Wushu Team Alleges Gunpoint Extortion by Suspected Kuki Militants https://t.co/2GZ3ai2wLj #ManipurCrisis #NationalSchoolGames#WushuTeam #SportsSafety #RajasthanAthletes#SecurityLapse
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) January 19, 2026
READ: The Press Release by UPF, KNO
According to a parent accompanying the team, armed men allegedly stopped the group during the return journey, threatened them with firearms and demanded money, detaining them for nearly two hours. A video shared on social media shows a team member recounting the incident and claiming guns were pointed at them. No injuries were reported, but parents said the minors were traumatised by the experience.
However, it remains unclear where exactly the group was stopped or how the assailants were identified as Kuki militants. Given Manipur’s geography and the ongoing ethnic unrest since 2023, teams travelling from Imphal typically use the Jiribam route within Manipur or the Imphal–Dimapur highway to access major railway stations. Both corridors have witnessed incidents of extortion, blockades and attacks by various armed groups over the past two years.
The team has also accused event organisers and authorities of serious administrative lapses. Parents alleged that only 24 unconfirmed train tickets were arranged for the entire group, forcing athletes to travel in overcrowded, unreserved compartments. They further claimed that officials overseeing the event left Imphal without ensuring the safe departure of the team, including female players, prompting parents to book tickets at their own expense.
While the allegations have gained traction on social media, particularly among Manipur-based accounts condemning the targeting of out-of-state students, there has been no official response so far from state authorities or security agencies. The KNO and UPF have reiterated their condemnation of the alleged act and called for clarity and restraint, as demands grow for an independent inquiry into the incident, security arrangements and logistical failures surrounding the event.
