Ukhrul, August 31: The Kuki Liberation Army-Letkholun (KLA-L), a militant organization operating under the banner of “Government of Kukiland,” has declared its support for a recent report by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), framing it as a “paradigm shift” toward justice and accountability in conflict-torn Manipur.
In a statement issued on Friday, the group endorsed the findings of the PUCL report, which highlighted alleged human rights violations and state complicity in the ethnic violence that has gripped Manipur for over a year. “We unequivocally endorse the report’s findings and believe that its recommendations are indispensable for promoting socioeconomic and political justice,” the group said.
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The statement singled out Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, citing an audio tape purportedly verified with “a 93 percent voice match,” as evidence of his alleged role in fomenting ethnic conflict. The group demanded a “rigorous investigation” into the claims and called for Singh to be held accountable if found guilty.
Central to the KLA-L’s demand is the creation of a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community, which they argue would recognize ancestral land and traditional rights. The group said such a measure, if implemented before the finalization of the Naga framework agreement, would address “historical injustices” and pave the way for peace.
“Anything less would only perpetuate the cycle of suffering,” the statement read, insisting that both accountability for perpetrators and autonomy for victims were essential to break the cycle of violence.
The group also appealed to the international community, saying India’s democratic commitments were under global scrutiny. It urged the judiciary to ensure “speedy justice, particularly for those who have been marginalized and victimized.”
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The KLA-L, which operates outside the constitutional framework, remains a proscribed outfit under Indian law. Its latest statement underscores the growing use of civil society reports, like that of PUCL, as leverage in the competing narratives of Manipur’s crisis.