Wanted but free: The group questions why individuals accused of brutal crimes against Kuki-Zo villagers remain at large, while others are swiftly arrested.
By PC Bureau
June 7, 2025
The World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC), an organization previously flagged by the Manipur government for allegedly promoting violence, is back in the spotlight. In a sharply worded open memorandum dated June 6, the WKZIC has demanded the immediate release of Kamginthang Gangte, who was arrested in connection with the killing of SDPO Chingtham Anand Kumar in Moreh on October 31, 2023.
The memorandum, addressed to the Designated Special Court for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Churachandpur, expresses “strong resentment” over Gangte’s June 5 arrest by NIA officials while returning from a mission site in Moreh. The WKZIC accuses the authorities of selective justice—acting swiftly when Meitei lives are involved, while showing indifference in cases involving Kuki victims.
Citing what it calls glaring disparities, the WKZIC points to the beheading of David Thiek on July 2, 2023, allegedly by Mairenbam Ramesh Mangang, who remains at large. It also highlights unequal compensation practices: SDPO Anand Kumar, a Meitei officer, was reportedly given ₹50 lakh as ex-gratia by the state, while Sub-Inspector Onkhomang Haokip, a Kuki officer killed in the line of duty at Chingphei, received only ₹10 lakh.
“This clearly shows Meitei lives [are] five times more precious than Kuki lives,” the memorandum states. The WKZIC further alleges that the state government handed out 6,000 firearms and 60,000 rounds of ammunition to Arambai Tenggol (AT) militants from state armories during the 2023 ethnic conflict—an act they claim was aimed at the “total elimination of the Kukis.”
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The group demands the arrest of S.I. Haokip’s killers, ₹40 lakh compensation to his family, and the immediate apprehension of Mairenbam Ramesh Mangang, Koruongangba Khuman, and Robin Mangang AT Sekmai, all of whom they accuse of atrocities against Kuki-Zo villagers. A large image included in the memorandum features a “WANTED” label over Mangang’s face, with the caption: “Who protected this murderer until now?”
Open memorandum by WKZIC questioning the selective bias of NIA and other central agencies against the Kuki-Zo people@NIA_India @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @PIB_India @PIBHomeAffairs pic.twitter.com/JCCNGt7T6p
— WORLD KUKI-ZO INTELLECTUAL COUNCIL (WKZIC) (@wkzic) June 6, 2025
WKZIC Not Officially Banned—Yet
Despite claims circulating online, the WKZIC is not a banned organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). While the Manipur government did file an FIR and sent a recommendation to the Ministry of Home Affairs to proscribe the group, it remains absent from the official list of banned organizations maintained by the Union government.
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The state’s push for a ban followed several key incidents. Authorities cited a press release allegedly issued by WKZIC on October 24, 2023, which called for Kuki-Zo people to “prepare for another war” and stockpile weapons—a statement WKZIC claims was fake and circulated by unknown miscreants. The killing of SDPO Anand Kumar, which came shortly after that alleged release, was seen as further justification for action.
