KOHUR called for judicial investigations into the Manipur violence, disarming of armed militias, and constitutional safeguards for the Kuki-Zo community within the Indian Union.
By PC Bureau
May 12, 2026: The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has launched a fierce counterattack against the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), describing its May 11 press release as “narrative manipulation” aimed at deflecting attention from violence against the Kuki-Zo community.
In a strongly worded press release issued today, KOHUR — a registered trust with UN Special Consultative Status — rejected COCOMI’s statement “in its entirety” and accused the valley-based civil society body of inciting ethnic violence, shielding banned Meitei insurgent groups, and running a sustained campaign against central security forces.
“Declaration of War” on Kuki-Zo
KOHUR reminded COCOMI of its September 8, 2023 press statement in which it openly declared “war” against the Kuki-Zo community. The organisation said the statement was not a slip of the tongue but a formal organisational decision broadcast through the media.
“No civil society organisation anywhere in the democratic world arrogates to itself the power to declare war on a community,” KOHUR stated.
It alleged that the declaration emboldened Meitei militias, including Arambai Tenggol, and contributed to atrocities against Kuki-Zo women and civilians at a time when over 200 Kuki-Zo villages had already been razed and tens of thousands displaced.
KOHUR noted that COCOMI has never withdrawn or apologised for the statement.
Defence Against “Pseudo Human Rights” Label
Dismissing COCOMI’s description of it as a “pseudo human rights group,” KOHUR listed its credentials, including fact-finding missions, legal interventions, and submissions before the President of India, the Union Home Minister, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Supreme Court.
It pointed to its documented reports on the destruction of over 360 Kuki-Zo villages, the displacement of more than 41,000 tribal residents, custodial deaths, sexual violence, and killings since May 3, 2023.
READ: Manipur: Major Kuki-Zomi Groups Resolve to End Differences
Cross-Border Narrative and Meitei Insurgents
KOHUR criticised COCOMI’s selective focus on the Kamjong incident and “cross-border” elements, arguing that responsibility for violence must be established through proper investigation rather than media trials.
It pointed out that several banned Meitei insurgent groups — PLA, UNLF, KCP, KYKL, and PREPAK — have long maintained sanctuaries in Myanmar and Bangladesh and are proscribed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The press release also highlighted what KOHUR described as COCOMI’s silence on the rise of Arambai Tenggol and other valley-based militias that allegedly looted over 6,000 weapons from police armouries and attacked tribal villages.
“Anti-National” Politics
In one of its strongest allegations, KOHUR accused COCOMI of providing a “civilian shield, media architecture, and moral cover” to banned Meitei insurgent groups that allegedly seek the secession of Manipur from the Indian Union.
The organisation claimed these outfits advocate a “sovereign and independent Manipur” and have documented links with foreign intelligence agencies, including Pakistan’s ISI and Chinese networks.
KOHUR contrasted this with the Kuki-Zo position, which seeks a Separate Administration within the Indian Union under Article 3 of the Constitution.
Selective Outrage and Demands
The human rights body accused COCOMI of remaining silent on major atrocities against Kuki-Zo civilians, including killings, the public parading of two Kuki-Zo women in Kangpokpi on May 4, 2023, beheadings, massacres in several villages, and the destruction of churches and homes.
It also criticised what it termed COCOMI’s “curated outrage” over incidents involving non-Kuki victims while allegedly ignoring the broader context of incidents such as Tronglaobi.
KOHUR made several demands to the Government of India, including:
- Initiating criminal proceedings against COCOMI for its 2023 “declaration of war,” alleged incitement to violence, and vilification of central security forces.
- Investigating alleged institutional and financial linkages between COCOMI and proscribed Meitei insurgent groups through the National Investigation Agency.
- Disarming all valley-based militias, including Arambai Tenggol, and recovering looted weapons.
- Ordering a transparent, judicially monitored investigation into the violence since May 2023.
- Granting a Separate Administration with legislature for the hill areas to ensure the safety and dignity of the Kuki-Zo people.
- Bringing to justice political figures, including former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, whose actions it alleged contributed to the ethnic cleansing of Kuki-Zo people from the valley.
KOHUR concluded that COCOMI had “forfeited any standing to speak of peace, integrity, or human rights” and warned that history would remember those who declared war on a community, shielded secessionist insurgents, and vilified the Indian Army.
