IMPHAL, Dec 11: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Manipur General Secretary K. Sharatkumar has accused the Congress party of forging an alleged alliance with Kuki separatist organizations. Addressing a press briefing at Thambal Sanglen, Sharatkumar cited a letter from the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC) dated November 25, 2024, addressed to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. The letter called on the Congress to introduce a “Kuki Political Solution Bill” in Parliament, advocating for a separate Union Territory for Kuki-dominated regions.

Sharatkumar claimed the appeal revealed a “pact” between Kuki organizations and the Indian National Congress (INC). He also referred to an alleged directive issued by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) during the April 2024 Lok Sabha elections. According to Sharatkumar, the directive instructed Kuki voters to back Congress candidates in return for promises of a separate Kuki administration, exemption from the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and other political assurances.

The BJP leader accused Kuki separatist groups, including those under Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements, of collaborating with Congress to manipulate the election process. He alleged that cadres were stationed at polling booths and threatened non-compliant voters, thereby influencing electoral outcomes.

Sharatkumar further accused Congress of promoting policies that favor Kuki dominance in Manipur. These policies allegedly included excluding Chin-Zomi-Mizo tribes from Scheduled Tribe recognition while safeguarding Kuki classifications. He claimed such actions facilitated unchecked immigration and population dominance by illegal Kuki immigrants, which he said threatened Manipur’s social and political balance.

Addressing the ongoing violence in Manipur, which began on May 3, 2023, Sharatkumar attributed it to a premeditated effort led by Kuki leaders, including Myanmar-born PS Haokip, President of the Kuki National Organization (KNO). He pointed to a viral video showcasing Kuki National Army (KNA) members wielding sophisticated weaponry as evidence of foreign involvement and the strengthening of Kuki insurgency networks.

The BJP leader called for vigilance among Manipur’s indigenous population and the broader Indian public. He equated the fight against Kuki militancy with India’s battle against other forms of terrorism, urging unified action to safeguard the state’s integrity and national security.