New Year Atrocities: CAPF Presence Not a Boon for Kuki-Zo People, Injustices at Play

As the world stepped into another Julian calendar year, the Kuki-Zos’ hearts are heavy with distress, sorrow and resilience. This time, the Central Armed Police Forces, particularly BSF and CRPF, in collusion with VBIGs and the Meitei state machineries, perpetrated atrocities against the Kuki-Zo innocent women.

On 31st December, 2024, the Kuki-Zo women, who were peacefully protesting against unnecessary deployment of CRPF and BSF personnel at Saibol, Kangpokpi District, were brutalised - subjected to physical assault, lathi charged and sexually harassed. Unleashing a reign of terror caused by the CAPF had led to the severe injuries of 75 women, with one protester losing her eyesight and another pregnant woman had a miscarriage.

The brutality, intimidation, and blatant disregard for human dignity, which included physical assault, molestation, and the tearing of clothing, as well as the excessive use of force through lathi charges and tear gas on unarmed, innocent Kuki-Zo women, was not only inhumane but also a violation of the fundamental principles of democracy, equality, and justice. Such shameful and despicable actions of the security personnel proved that they have lost all sense of humanity, professionalism and decency.

Protectors become predators:
It is of grave concern that the central security forces would display in such a partisan manner. When the Meitei aggressors attacked the Kuki Village guards by crossing the buffer zones, the central security personnel deployed in the region were mere spectators. But when the Kukis retaliated, they entered the Kuki areas on the pretext of combing operations and forcibly occupied their bunkers. This is illogical.

While the Kuki-Zo people continue to face terror and violence, the Central Forces seem to focus their operations within Kuki-Zo areas, as though punishing the very victims of those attacks. There is a perceived disparity in treatment of the two warring parties, wherein lethal forces are used against Kuki women while the Meitei Meira Paibis are given free hand.

How long will this continue? Why is the government allowing central forces to turn a blind eye to the violence inflicted on Kuki women? Would the CRPF/BSF personnel dare to commit atrocities against the Meitei women in the valley, who have been shielding the Meitei terrorists since the beginning of the ethnic pogrom?

Such reprehensible actions of the CAPF personnel amplified their bias towards the majority Meitei community. They have been toothless in stopping Meitei from attacking the Kuki areas but are high-handed on Kuki women.This clearly shows that there has been an unequal application of law and so-called protectors of Kuki civilians become predators.

The calculated attempt to undermine the safety, security, and dignity of the Kuki-Zo people, particularly during Christmas and New Year was not only a blatant disregard for the lives and well-being of the Kuki-Zo community but also a grievous case of religious oppression of the minority Christian community.

Incessant Aggression of Meiteis:

For the second year in a row, the fascist Meitei forces have silenced the Kuki-Zo sacred Lenkhom Hymns—hymns of faith and hope, to welcome the Savior and herald the New Year of the Lord. These hymns are more than melodies; they are the soul of their identity, passed down through generations. Yet, for two long years, thousands of the Kuki people, displaced and left homeless by hateful Meitei mobs, have not heard these sacred songs echoed through their land.

To be denied this sacred tradition is to have a piece of their spirit taken away.

While the Kuki-Zo people have been facing immense sufferings from the Meitei fascist forces, there have also been blatant violations of human rights. Still then, Indian PM Narendra Modi and HM Amit Shah have been ignoring the issues of Manipur, particularly the atrocities meted out to the Kuki-Zo people.

Since the 24th of December (Christmas Eve), the Meitei community, with the intent of disrupting the Kuki-Zo Christmas celebrations, had launched incessant attacks on the Kuki villages of Saibol-Twichin areas, Lhungting Sub-Division, Kangpokpi District. In response, the Kuki-Zo village volunteers had been defending their villages by all possible means. Those attacks, carried out by Valley-Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs), demonstrated the continuous, insidious efforts to destabilize and disenfranchise the Kuki-Zo people.

Ironically, it has been observed that there is a systematic modus operandi and nexus between security forces and Valley Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs) in Kuki areas. The pattern typically involves attacks from VBIGs on Kuki villages, followed by combing operations by paramilitary forces, after which Kuki villages are burned and attacked by Meitei VBIGs.

For about two years, the security forces have been repeatedly ignoring the perpetrators attacking and terrorising the Kuki-Zo from the Valley areas.

Injustice amid persecution:

Since the beginning of the violence, sexual violence against Kuki-Zo women has been used as a weapon of war, aimed at terrorizing the community and asserting dominance. The women, who protested in a democratic manner, were often met with sexual molestation and physical assault by security forces, further exacerbating their plight. Their fight for dignity and protection has, unfortunately, resulted in further degradation and assault on their dignity by the very forces meant to protect them.

As the central forces have failed to maintain neutrality to ensure safety and protection of the Kuki-Zo communities, there must be high-level inquiry into the violent incidents. There has been injustice served to the very victims of the state-orchestrated violence.

Let justice be served and accountability be fixed by the higher authority. Strict actions against the responsible officials or CAPF personnel should be initiated for their undemocratic, inhuman, unacceptable, and unethical behavior.

Separate Administration for lasting peace:

In the wake of Manipur mayhem, the mistrust and hostility between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities are now so deep that coexistence has become almost impossible. The Kuki-Zos’ houses in the valley have been destroyed, and they have now lived in their ancestral hills. Even after more than 20 months of the ethnic violence, some remaining Kuki homes were still burned down in the Imphal valley.

The only solution is to secure the buffer zone with neutral central armed forces and create a separate Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo people so as to ensure lasting peace in Manipur. Only through self-governance, the Kuki people can protect their lives and properties amid escalating persecution.

If the Centre really wants to resolve this conflict, it must resume political dialogue with the Kuki groups and concede to their legitimate political demand for Union Territory with Legislative powers.