Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki Tribes, has condemned the ongoing enforcement of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in Manipur’s hill districts, calling it a violation of human rights and biased. 

Janghaolun Haokip, KIM’s Secretary for Information and Publicity, stated that the Kuki-Zo areas have remained largely peaceful, with insurgent groups under Suspension of Operations (SoO) and no recent conflict with Indian forces.

Haokip criticized the Manipur government for extending AFSPA in the hill districts while removing it from the valley areas, labeling this as discriminatory against the hill tribes. He noted that this extension follows an incident on January 24, 2024, at Kangla Fort, Imphal, where the Arambai Tenggol militia coerced state legislators. He argued that AFSPA should be imposed in the Imphal valley, which has seen significant unrest and where over 6,000 looted arms are still held by militias.

The KIM statement underscored that removing AFSPA from the valley has worsened law and order, citing the looting of arms and ammunition during the May 3 ethnic violence. Haokip also mentioned that the Assam Rifles had to release valley-based insurgent groups due to local interference, while the Kuki-Zo people continue to face aggression.

Haokip defended the necessity of the Assam Rifles for border management and counter-insurgency, emphasizing their importance amid ongoing security challenges. He condemned the partial removal of AFSPA as a “deception” by the Manipur state government and misuse of its powers. 

KIM is calling on the Central Government to immediately revoke AFSPA in the hill districts or, if needed, enforce it in the Imphal valley, where it is urgently required due to the history of secessionist violence.