Kuki-Zo organisation brings ‘gross violation of human rights’ to UN attention

New Delhi: A Kuki-Zo organisation in Manipur has called the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, to intervene in the state's ongoing ethnic violence and take cognisance of the "gross violation of human rights" suffered by the Kuki-Zo people.

The request comes after violent conflicts erupted in Kangpokpi on Saturday (March 8), killing one Kuki man and injuring numerous others.

The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) alleged security forces of using excessive force, including "firing" on protesters singing the national anthem and waving the national flag on the first day that Union Home Minister Amit Shah's order of "free movement" between the valley and the hills took effect, the Wire reported.

Since the conflict began in May 2023, Meitei-majority valley areas and Kuki-majority hill areas have been closed to members of the opposing communities.

On March 8, the violence began when a Meitei group marched towards the hill districts, sparking clashes with Kuki-Zo community members who attempted to stop their arrival.

The Meitei gang attempted to enter both Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts, but confrontations broke out only on the Kangpokpi side.

The most violent fight happened near Gamgiphai, the 'buffer zone' - supposed to be no man's land - beyond which the Kangpokpi district begins, where the Kuki-Zo community has been in control since May 3, 2023. According to local media accounts, central authorities used tear gas and lathi charge to disperse the protests.

The KOHUR statement highlighted the importance of the UN taking note of the discrimination and human rights violations faced by the Kuki-Zo group, particularly in light of the ongoing ethnic violence, which has claimed at least 261 lives and displaced 60,000 people over the last 22 months.

“… we invite OHCHR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights), Volker Turk, to take note of the discrimination against Kuki-Zo people based on their religion and ethnicity and the gross violation of human rights, especially against the minority Kuki-Zo people,” the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) said in a statement on Saturday night.

Turk highlighted worry about Kashmir and Manipur during his March 3 address to the Human Rights Council's 58th session. He emphasised the need to address the harassment of human rights activists and independent journalists in Kashmir, which has resulted in arbitrary detentions and a decreasing civic space.

Turk also called for intensified measures to combat violence and displacement in Manipur through discussion, peacebuilding, and human rights.

“I am concerned by the use of restrictive laws and harassment against human rights defenders and independent journalists resulting in arbitrary detention and a diminished civic space, including in Kashmir, ” he said. “I also call for stepped-up efforts to address violence and displacement in Manipur, based on dialogue, peace-building and human rights.”

However, the Union government promptly denounced Turk's remarks as "unfounded and baseless." Arindam Bagchi, India's permanent representative to the UN, responded by urging a better understanding of India's diverse and open society.

The situation in Manipur has been unstable since May 2023, with clashes between the Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and other tribal hill communities.

The Centre's plan to resume bus services without a prior political resolution has been greeted with opposition by Kuki-Zo groups, who are demanding Union Territory status for their territories before "free movement" resumes.

This is the first death in ethnic hostilities in Manipur since the state changed into President's Rule on February 13. Meanwhile, life in Kangpokpi and other Kuki-Zo districts remains halted due to an indefinite shutdown ordered by the Kuki-Zo Council.