Manipur’s Kuki-Zo community, through its apex bodies, has voiced severe trauma and criticized the central government’s handling of persistent violence in the state, particularly the recent burning of Gampal and Haijang villages. They demand rebuilding, security assurances, and essential supplies for the displaced.
BY PC Bureau
April 23, 2025,
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki tribes in Manipur, along with several affiliated organizations, issued a joint press statement on Tuesday condemning the recent acts of arson and violence in the villages of Gampal and Haijang, located in the Samphung Sub-Division, Kamjong District.
The statement, signed by representatives of KIM, the Kuki Students’ Organisation General Headquarters (KSO-GHQ), the Kuki Chiefs’ Association, Manipur (KCA-M), the Kuki Women Union General Headquarters (KWU-GHQ), and the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), highlighted the severe trauma inflicted on Kuki civilians and called for immediate government intervention.
According to the statement, the victims of this attack and arsons were “innocent Kuki civilians” who have already endured a lot of hardship due to ongoing ethnic tensions in the region. The Kuki-Zo community views these acts as deliberate attempts to terrorize their people, exacerbating an already fragile peace in Manipur, the statement said.
The statement described the violence as part of a systematic targeting of the Kuki-Zo, who continue to face displacement and discrimination amid the state’s ethnic conflict.
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The organizations expressed deep concern over the central government’s failure to address the persistent violence and protect vulnerable communities. They criticized the government for its “biased and negligent” handling of the Kuki-Zo’s plight, pointing to a lack of timely and effective intervention as a key factor in the worsening situation.
Two #Kuki_Zo villages Haijang and Gampal in Kamjong district burned down today..
The perpetrators are yet to be established as many militants groups are operating in the said areas due to violence in neighbouring Myanmar.@narendramodi @AmitShah @rajnathsingh @RahulGandhi… pic.twitter.com/UFY1nObgJk
— Astor (KUKI KA PARIVAR) (@Khulkonns_3382) April 23, 2025
The statement also questioned the government’s constitutional duty to maintain law and order, particularly during a crisis that demands urgent, sensitive, and just action.
In response to the attacks, the Kuki organizations issued three key demands to the Government of India:
- Immediate rebuilding and restoration of Gampal and Haijang villages, including proper rehabilitation of affected families and fair compensation for losses incurred.
- Deployment of adequate, neutral security forces to ensure the safety of villagers and prevent further violence in the region.
- Provision of essential supplies, including food, medical aid, and shelter, to all displaced and affected individuals to meet their humanitarian needs without delay.
The statement urged the government to act with impartiality and integrity, emphasizing that the people of Gampal and Haijang deserve not only protection but also justice and peace. The Kuki-Zo community warned that continued violence could deepen mistrust between communities in the region, further threatening peace efforts.
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The joint statement was signed by Khaikho Hauh Gangte (General Secretary, Kuki Inpi Manipur), Doumang Haokip (President, Kuki Students’ Organisation General Headquarters), Holkhomang Haokip (Vice President, Kuki Chiefs’ Association, Manipur), Neneu Kipgen (Vice President, Kuki Women Union General Headquarters), and Ngaineikim (President, Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights), reflecting a unified stance among Kuki-Zo leadership.
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As the situation in Manipur remains volatile, the demands of these organizations highlight the urgent need for comprehensive action to address the humanitarian and security crisis in the state.
