IMPHAL, May 15: The Manipur Police have refuted the existence of a militant outfit that allegedly issued threats against members of the Meitei community intending to travel through Kuki-inhabited areas for the upcoming Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district.

In a statement posted on its official social media handle, the police clarified that there is no organisation by the name of “Kuki Zo Village Volunteers – Eastern Zone” (KZVV-EZ), which had claimed responsibility for the warning. The police urged the public not to believe or circulate what it termed a “baseless” press note.

“The district police enquired into the organisation. However, no such organisation was found. As such, the general public are requested not to believe such unfounded and baseless press note issued by unknown organisation,” the statement read.

The purported threat appeared in a statement dated May 11, in which the group allegedly barred members of the Meitei community from entering or crossing Kuki territories en route to the Shirui Festival—a popular cultural event held in honour of the state flower, the Shirui Lily.

Responding to the development, the Manipur Police assured the public that adequate security arrangements will be made to ensure the free movement of people during the festival. “The district police will make adequate security arrangements to ensure and facilitate free movement of public for the Shirui Festival. The public are requested to cooperate with the Police Department in the security arrangement,” the statement added.

The warning has drawn strong condemnation from several quarters, including the Tangkhul Naga community and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN). In a sharply worded response, the NSCN warned that any attempt to target visitors to Ukhrul would not be tolerated.

“NSCN shall not tolerate if KZVV-EZ makes any wild attempt to disturb the streaming tourists targeting any particular community travelling to Ukhrul/Shirui village. Let this message be loud and clear that the territorial jurisdiction of the so-called Kukiland doesn’t cover even an inch of Naga territory in Ukhrul areas,” the NSCN stated.

Meanwhile, a separate group—Village Volunteers Eastern Zone based in Tengnoupal district—has issued a clarification, distancing itself from the outfit in question. It stated that it has “no affiliation” or “connection” with the Kuki Zo Village Volunteers – Eastern Zone.

The Shirui Lily Festival, scheduled to take place from May 20 to 24, is celebrated in Ukhrul district, a Tangkhul Naga-dominated region, and draws visitors from across the state and beyond. The event showcases local culture, music, and the beauty of the rare Shirui Lily that blooms in the region’s hills.