The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), an apex body of the Kuki tribes, has announced a 12-hour total shutdown on Wednesday in Kuki-Zo-dominated regions to protest the arrest of five Kuki-Zo individuals by central security forces.

KIM stated that the deployment of central security forces in vulnerable areas initially provided the community with a sense of safety. However, the arrest of the five individuals has alarmed the community, which had been cooperating with law enforcement.

KIM also criticised the lack of action against valley-based militant groups (VBIGs) who openly display sophisticated arms in the valley.

KIM has called for public support to demand the creation of a Union Territory with a legislature for the Kuki-Zo people.

Police reported that two individuals, including a juvenile, were arrested with three single-barrel guns by a combined team of 39 Assam Rifles (AR) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from Phaitol village on Monday morning, following an attack by armed assailants on Manipur police and Manipur fire service personnel.

These two individuals were detected during a search operation after the firing incident in Phaitol village, Tamenglong district bordering Jiribam district.

Police reported that three suspected Kuki militants were arrested with three AK series weapons on Tuesday during a joint search operation conducted by CRPF, Assam Rifles, and Manipur police at Hengjol village under New Keithelmanbi police station, in Kangpokpi district around 4:30 am.

Local women quickly gathered to halt the joint team and compelled security forces to deploy tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to three women.

The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), another Kuki organisation, denounced the arrests, claiming that the detained individuals were village volunteers defending against attacks by valley-based radical Meitei militias. COTU demanded the immediate release of the five individuals.

Image source: PTI