The protest, supported by civil society and tribal organisations, follows weeks of alleged targeted crackdowns by the NIA and CBI without due process.
BY PC Bureau
June 17, 2025 —The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) has announced a public mass rally scheduled for June 18 in Churachandpur to protest what it describes as the “arbitrary and unjust arrests” of Kuki-Zo individuals by national investigative agencies such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The organisation claims that these arrests have been carried out without due process, and represent a targeted crackdown on members of the Kuki-Zo tribal community amid ongoing ethnic tensions in the state. The protest is being organised in collaboration with the Kuki Inpi Churachandpur and multiple civil society organisations (CSOs).
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The rally, which begins at 10:30 AM from Koite Playground and marches toward the Mini Secretariat in Tuibong, will include a memorandum submission to the Union Home Minister demanding an end to what the group calls discriminatory actions against their community.
The Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights is organising a public rally on June 18th against the arbitrary arrests of Kuki-Zo individuals by the NIA and CBI in Lamka (Churachandpur). This is the second such type of public rally organised by KWOHR.@NIA_India @CBIHeadquarters… pic.twitter.com/yVt7mRpCyO
— Sumkawn (@Sumkawn) June 17, 2025
This mobilization follows a June 11 collective meeting held by Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, which saw wide participation from women’s groups and tribal organisations. The KWOHR had earlier held a mass sit-in on May 31 and submitted a formal memorandum to the Home Minister seeking intervention. However, KWOHR alleges that within 24 hours of that memorandum, two more Kuki-Zo men were arrested—further deepening community mistrust.
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Over 250 people have been killed and more than 60,000 displaced since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023. While President’s Rule was imposed in February 2025 to bring back stability, incidents of alleged bias and arbitrary action have continued to strain community relations, especially in the Kuki-inhabited hill districts.
KWOHR’s rally comes amid renewed calls for justice and restoration of rights for the Kuki-Zo people. “Justice for the Kuki-Zo people is not negotiable,” the organisation declared in its statement, reaffirming its intent to continue protests until their “rightful demands are met.”
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“We will continue to protest, continue to march, and continue to speak out — until our voices are heard,” the release states. KWOHR has urged youth, students, civil society, and the media to show solidarity.
Rally Details:
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Date: 18th June 2025 (Wednesday)
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Gathering Time: 10:30 AM
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March Start: 11:00 AM from Koite Playground, Lamka
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Destination: Mini Secretariat, Tuibong
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Organisers: Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR)
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In collaboration with: Kuki Inpi Churachandpur and CSOs
The rally aims to underscore the community’s resilience and push for fair treatment under law, calling for immediate cessation of what they see as state-backed intimidation of Kuki-Zo civilians.
