Kuki Inpi rejects CM Biren’s statement, says it contradicts ground situation 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 5, 2024

Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) on Sunday rejected Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh’s statement saying that it is not only fabricated but dangerously misleading, painting a false narrative about the situation in Manipur.

In an interview with a weekly magazine, Singh said peace is returning to Manipur and the state government is looking for a viable solution to bring both communities together through dialogue.

In a statement here, Kuki Inpi media strategist Lenn Chongloi said it is audacious of the chief minister to declare that peace is returning to Manipur. 

“This claim starkly contradicts the reality on the ground, where violence has escalated. Just recently, videos circulated by Meitei extremists depicted the mutilation and degradation of two Kuki volunteers’ bodies as a form of trophy, showing sheer brutality and utter disregard for human dignity. These horrifying acts, which took place within the last month, prove that the violence is far from over,” Chongloi said. 

“These bodies have not been returned to their families. How can peace be claimed when Kuki villages continue to face relentless attacks by state-supported forces, even a full year after the violence began,” Chongloi questioned.

On the Question of Illegal Immigration, Chongloi said the chief minister’s narrative on illegal immigration is a gross misrepresentation, laden with derogatory terms aimed at demonizing a specific community without substantiated data. 

“It is important to clarify that there are no illegal immigrants from Myanmar; instead, refugees are escaping the junta’s aggression, primarily seeking refuge in Mizoram, not Manipur. Myanmar citizens enjoy visa-free access to ASEAN countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. If Myanmar citizens planned to migrate illegally, they would logically prefer these destinations over Manipur for better job opportunities and economic benefits,” he said. 

“Contrary to the chief minister’s claims, Manipur does not host any refugees, thus no ‘illegal settlements’ exist as he alleges,” he also said.

On the question of environment and poppy cultivation, Chongloi further said the chief minister’s concerns about poppy cultivation and its environmental impact are disingenuous and aimed solely at targeting the Kuki people. Public data shows that while forest cover in the hills remains consistent, it has nearly vanished in the valley dominated by Meiteis. If environmental conservation is truly his concern, efforts should begin in the valley. The accusation against the Kukis of degrading the environment through jhumming or poppy cultivation is baseless and an evident diversion from the real issues, he said.

On the question of unnatural villages, the Kuki leader said the term “unnatural villages,” used by the chief minister, highlights his cultural insensitivity towards the Kuki traditions of establishing new villages for cultural and resource management purposes. These villages, a result of traditional practices like ‘Inchon’, are essential for managing resources and sustaining livelihoods in resource-constrained hill environments. 

“Accusing these villages of being results of illegal immigration is not only misleading but also demonstrates the chief minister’s lack of understanding and respect for Kuki customs and traditions,” he said.

While speaking on looted arms, Chongloi said the justification for arming Meitei youths under the guise of self-defence against so-called Kuki militants is not only irresponsible but indicative of the chief minister’s failure in governance.

Chongloi said contradictory statements about restoring peace while simultaneously arming extremist youths are a testament to his incompetence and deceit. Moreover,  the young men he claims are arming themselves for self-defence against Kuki militants are, in fact, his enforcers, known as Arambai Tenggols.

“These groups have been responsible for escalating violence, not quelling it. They were also involved in a significant arms looting incident at the Manipur Police Training College’s Pangei complex on May 4, 2023, where over a thousand individuals forcibly took a large cache of weapons and ammunition. This incident was so critical that it necessitated an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), initiated on June 9, 2023. Such severe breaches of security and the subsequent arming of partisan forces only highlight the grave inconsistencies and failures under Singh’s administration, casting serious doubts on his claims of effective governance and commitment to peace,” Chongloi said.

“While the chief minister enjoys the constitutional right to free speech, this right does not include the freedom to spread false narratives that endanger minority communities. His misleading statements about peace, illegal immigration, environmental issues, and security are designed to manipulate public opinion and maintain his grip on power. The Kuki Inpi is committed to challenging these falsehoods and will pursue all available legal avenues to hold Biren Singh accountable for his actions. The truth will not be silenced, and the dignity of the Kuki people will be upheld,” he added.