From Churachandpur to Kangpokpi, Kuki-Zo women united under the banner “No Justice in Fear,” challenging arbitrary arrests and seeking accountability from central agencies.
BY PC Bureau
Incessant rain and inclement weather could not deter thousands of determined Kuki-Zo women across Manipur on May 31, 2025, as they staged widespread sit-in protests. Organized under the banner of the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), these women displayed remarkable resilience, braving the elements to voice their profound grievances. Their demonstration focused on what they described as arbitrary and unjust arrests of individuals from the Kuki-Zo community by central agencies, namely the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The call for this sit-in protest by the KWOHR underscores the community’s apprehension over the apprehension of Kuki-Zo individuals based on what they believe to be unsubstantiated suspicion. Furthermore, it highlighted their frustration with the perceived lack of accountability for individuals from the Meitei community alleged to have perpetrated acts of violence. The chosen theme for the protest, “No Justice in Fear: Protest Against NIA & CBI,” effectively conveyed the community’s growing disillusionment with the actions of central investigative bodies.
Protest Locations and Participation
The primary focal point of the demonstration was the Wall of Remembrance, Peace Ground, Tuibong, situated in the Churachandpur district. From 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, despite the heavy downpour and adverse weather, a large assembly of Kuki-Zo women convened at this location. The umbrellas they carried served a dual purpose, providing protection from the rain while also symbolizing the community’s unwavering resolve to stand firm in the face of hardship.
Manipur : Lamka📍
Hundreds of Kuki women protest against the arbitrary arrests of Kuki individuals by Central agencies, highlighting the glaring bias in law enforcement’s actions against the weak & marginalized.@NIA_India @CBIHeadquarters @CBItweets Stop Selective Justice !! pic.twitter.com/rBwgdY73da— Neng Khongsai KUKI (@KhongsaiChanu) May 31, 2025
Beyond Churachandpur, similar sit-in protests were reported across other regions with a significant Kuki-Zo population. These included the districts of Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, and Pherzawl, indicating a widespread mobilization of Kuki-Zo women expressing their collective concerns. While demonstrations occurred in these areas, Churachandpur remained the central hub of the day’s protest activity.
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Nature of the Protest
The protesters, predominantly women, actively engaged in conveying their grievances through various means. They held aloft placards bearing messages that condemned the alleged arbitrary arrests carried out by the NIA and CBI. Simultaneously, they voiced their discontent through slogans, articulating their frustration with a system they perceive as unfairly targeting the Kuki-Zo community. A key point of contention raised by the protesters was the alleged disparity in the handling of legal cases, where Kuki-Zo individuals are reportedly detained without robust evidence, while numerous First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against alleged Meitei extremists have purportedly not resulted in any arrests.
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The KWOHR also voiced a specific demand concerning the judicial process related to former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. They called upon the Supreme Court to expedite trials pertaining to allegations that he incited ethnic violence through a leaked audio recording, a claim that the Manipur government has dismissed as fabricated.
📍 Tuibong, Manipur
The Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights demonstrated remarkable resilience today by organizing a Sit-In Protest against the arbitrary arrest of Kuki-Zo individuals by the CBI and NIA. Not even the rain or bad weather could deter them from raising their… pic.twitter.com/87UFZILBHp— Sumkawn (@Sumkawn) May 31, 2025
The protests also brought to the forefront the persistent trust deficit that exists between the Kuki-Zo community and central security forces. This lack of trust has been exacerbated by incidents such as the clash on December 31, 2024, in Kangpokpi, where Kuki-Zo women were reportedly injured during a security operation. The sit-in served as a peaceful yet forceful expression of the community’s demands, marking a shift from earlier, more confrontational forms of protest.
This demonstration is situated within the broader context of ongoing tensions and a series of protests initiated by the Kuki-Zo community following the eruption of ethnic violence in May 2023. Previous actions, such as the April 14, 2025, sit-ins in Churachandpur opposing the access of Meitei pilgrims to Thangjing Hills, and the March 1, 2025, rally in Delhi advocating for a separate Union Territory, illustrate the community’s sustained pursuit of political and territorial autonomy.
These protests are also taking place against the backdrop of President’s Rule, which was imposed in Manipur following the resignation of N. Biren Singh, and ongoing dialogues facilitated by the Ministry of Home Affairs aimed at resolving the protracted ethnic conflict. However, the perceived absence of tangible progress in these discussions has contributed to the continued unrest, as evidenced by the protest staged by Kuki-Zo MLAs in Delhi on December 10, 2024. The May 31st sit-in by Kuki-Zo women represents another significant expression of their enduring grievances and their persistent demand for justice and resolution
