After staging major protests, the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) has written to Home Minister Amit Shah, pointing to what it claims a pattern of targeted arrests, disregard for women’s voices, and alleged government inaction against extremist groups.
BY PC Bureau
June 18, 2025 – The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) staged a sit-in protest in Churachandpur and sent a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, appealing for urgent intervention to address what they describe as “escalating targeted arrests, ethnic injustice, and a call for constitutional intervention” in Manipur.
The memorandum, dated June 18, 2025, expresses “deepening concern and anguish over the continued state-backed persecution, arbitrary arrests, and systematic injustice meted out to our people.”
KWOHR claimed that despite widespread protests and a detailed memorandum submitted on May 31, 2025, the situation has worsened. They cite the latest arrests on June 6, 2025, of two Kuki men, Thangneo Kipgen of Henthinthang, Molnomphai, Churachandpur, and Kamginthang Gangte of Moreh, Tengnoupal. These arrests, described as “unclear and unjustifiable,” have, according to KWOHR, further intensified public outrage and eroded faith in justice institutions.
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The organization asserts that the Kuki-Zo community has consistently upheld the law and sought democratic redress. However, they lament what they see as the “continued criminalisation of our identity, collective punishment, and blatant disregard for constitutional safeguards.”
The memorandum May 31, 2025 had highlighted:
- Arbitrary arrests of Kuki-Zo individuals by NIA and CBI without clear evidence.
- Inaction against extremist Meitei outfits despite voluminous FIRs and known perpetrators.
- Weapon lootings from state armouries used to “massacre Kuki civilians.”
- Instances of rape, murder, and stripping of Kuki-Zo women without conviction.
- Unconstitutional manipulation of police jurisdictions.
- Public incitement to violence by leaders of radical outfits and former officials.
KWOHR also highlights a “pattern of ethnic targeting,” asserting that these are not isolated arrests but part of a “deliberate pattern of selective targeting,” where Kuki-Zo citizens are investigated, detained, and vilified, while “radical Meitei outfits like Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun continue to operate freely.”
The memorandum further criticizes the “disregard for women’s voices,” stating that the voices of tribal mothers, daughters, and sisters have been repeatedly ignored despite peaceful mobilizations and democratic appeals. KWOHR warned that “silencing women demanding justice is a betrayal of both human rights and constitutional values.”
KWOHR’s Demands
The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights puts forth the following urgent demands:
- Immediate Release: Arbitrarily detained Kuki-Zo individuals must be immediately released, and all charges against them withdrawn without credible and transparent evidence.
- Judicial Inquiry: A judicial inquiry into arrests and ethnic profiling is needed, along with an independent judicial commission to investigate the pattern of arrests, surveillance, and intimidation directed at the Kuki-Zo community.
- Arrest of Extremist Leaders and Armed Militias: This includes the arrest of Korounganba Khuman, commander of Arambai Tenggol, and the banning and dismantling of Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun. They also demand the prosecution of leaders of COCOMI under UAPA, seizure of looted arms, and an investigation into alleged collusion with state actors.
- Fast-Track Prosecution: Expedited prosecution of former CM N. Biren Singh, pursuing action based on verified recordings implicating him in ethnic cleansing efforts and unlawful militia links.
- Constitutional Reorganisation: Reaffirmation of constitutional right to self-administration and a demand for reorganisation under Article 3 “as a peaceful and legal means to protect the tribal Population.”
- Restoration of Rule of Law and Equitable Representation: End the misuse of central agencies, restore tribal officers to command positions in law enforcement, and uniformly apply or revoke AFSPA to ensure justice is not geographically selective.
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In their resolute concluding statement, KWOHR declared, “We are peace-loving, law-abiding, and committed to the Indian Constitution. But we will no longer remain silent as our sons are arrested, our villages are razed, and our women are dishonoured.”
They warned that if “this wave of injustice continues, we will demand community oversight by all external agencies operating in our area.” The organization emphasized that “Kuki-Zo women will not be silenced. If our voices are ignored, the consequences will be on the conscience of the state.”
The memorandum concluded with an appeal to the Union Home Minister, stating, “India’s greatness lies in its diversity and justice. Today, justice is on trial. We appeal to your conscience and your constitutional duty.”
The memorandum was signed by Kimneihoi Lhungdim, General Secretary of the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR).
