UKHRUL: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has expressed concern over the recent detention of eight cadres of the Kuki Liberation Organisation/Kuki Liberation Army (KLO/KLA), a signatory to the tripartite Suspension of Operations (SoO) Agreement, along with the seizure of seven registered automatic firearms.
On Monday Manipur Police took to X saying, “A joint operation was conducted by Manipur Police, CoBRA, CRPF, Mahila personnel and RAF teams at Gampum village under Saikul Police Station, Kangpokpi District in which the security forces raided an unauthorized/ illegal camp belonging to suspected Kuki Liberation Army (KLA).
In the operation, eight (08) cadres were apprehended and the security forces also recovered seven (07) automatic weapons from the camp. The apprehended individuals and the seized arms have been taken into custody for further legal proceedings and investigation.
The camp was locked and sealed by the security forces.”
In a statement, KIM said the incident amounted to a serious breach of the prevailing understanding between security forces and SoO groups and could undermine institutional trust.
The organisation maintained that actions involving SoO signatories should be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, established protocols and applicable laws.
KIM called for an independent, transparent and impartial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the detention and alleged procedural lapses. It also sought the immediate release of the eight detained individuals and restoration of the seized registered weapons within the designated SoO framework.
The organisation further asserted that the custody and investigation of the detainees should remain under the jurisdiction of the Kangpokpi district authorities, in accordance with established legal procedures.
It warned that any transfer of the detainees outside the district without due legal process and proper authorisation would further undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.
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KIM also raised concerns over what it described as the disproportionate use of force against civil society during the incident. It alleged that crowd-control munitions and live ammunition were used against civilians, leaving several people injured and requiring emergency medical treatment.
The organisation called for a thorough investigation into the allegations, stressing that the use of force by state authorities must remain lawful, necessary and proportionate and comply with constitutional and human-rights standards.
KIM has appealed to the Union Government to intervene and take corrective measures to prevent further incidents that could undermine the existing understanding between security forces and SoO signatories.
