Songpi: The Kuki Human Rights Council (KHRC) on Saturday issued a scathing condemnation of Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh’s visit to Kangpokpi district, rejecting it as a “cheap, shameful and divisive political stunt.”
In a strongly-worded press release (Ref: KHRC/PR/09/08/2026) issued from its Head Office in Lamka by the Department of Information & Publicity, the Council said it “vehemently condemns and rejects” the CM’s tour and his felicitation by Kuki MLAs Nemcha Kipgen and Haokholet Kipgen.
According to the KHRC, the visit is nothing but a tactic “to create confusion within the Kuki community and to project a false narrative of normalcy to the world” at a time when the state remains deeply divided on the ground.
“The Kuki community completely rejects this political stunt,” the release asserted.
Totally Separated Since May 3, 2023
The rights body reminded the Chief Minister of what it called a historical fact that the Kuki and Meitei communities have been totally separated since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023.
“The Kuki and Meitei are now separated by history, land, identity, buffer zones, ethnic boundaries, the blood of over 250 martyrs and by nature itself. No photo-op and no bouquet can erase that separation,” the Council stated.
KHRC said the physical and emotional separation is not symbolic but real, with buffer zones manned by central forces, no free movement across districts, and thousands of families still unable to return to their homes in Imphal valley and other areas.
Stop Visiting Kuki Areas
In its direct appeal to the Chief Minister, the KHRC said, “We want to make it crystal clear. Stop visiting Kuki areas. You have no moral or constitutional right to enter Kuki territory while our people are still displaced, our villages are still occupied and justice is still denied.”
The Council accused the government of using divisive tactics by projecting a few Kuki legislators as representatives of the entire community.
“Stop your divisive tactics on the Kuki community. Using a few individuals like Kuki MLAs Nemcha Kipgen, Haokholet Kipgen, Lallianmang Khaute does not represent the collective will of the whole Kuki community. This is a shame to our martyrs. Welcoming those who represent a government that has failed to protect us is an insult to the sacrifices of our people,” it said.
Demand for Separate Administration Remains Firm
Reiterating its core political demand, the KHRC said the Kuki people’s aspiration for separation from the present Manipur administration is alive, legitimate and non-negotiable.
“Let the Government of India and the world know, we are not silent on our demand. Our political demand for separation from the Manipur administration remains firm, non-negotiable and alive. We are still waiting for the sincere intervention of the Government of India for a lasting political solution for the Kuki people,” the release said.
It warned that any attempt to forcefully reintegrate the Kuki people under the same administrative structure without addressing their political aspirations will be resisted.
“Any attempt to forcefully integrate us again under the same communal regime will be resisted. We reject the visit, we reject the narrative, we stand for our separate administration,” the Council declared.
KIM, KHIPC, UKNA and Other Kuki Bodies Also Reject CM Visit
The KHRC is not alone in opposing the Chief Minister’s outreach to Kuki-dominated districts. The United Kuki National Army (UKNA), a Kuki armed group, along with other groups under the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF), have also issued statements rejecting the CM’s proposed visits to Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal.
In separate releases this week, UKNA said no Meitei leader, including the Chief Minister, would be allowed to enter Kuki areas until a political solution is reached, describing the visits as “untimely and inappropriate” and warning they could become a flashpoint.
Similarly, the apex Kuki civil body, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), had earlier advised CM Y. Khemchand Singh to defer his visit to Churachandpur, stating the situation remains “highly sensitive and volatile.” KIM had said it has decided to oppose any state government visit until the political demand of the Kuki-Zo people is duly considered.
Other bodies including Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, KSO, Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights and Kuki Chiefs Association had also reaffirmed their collective stand to bar entry of government delegations.
Background of CM’s Outreach and Ongoing Crisis
Y. Khemchand Singh, a former Speaker and senior BJP MLA from Singjamei, took oath as Chief Minister in early 2026 after President’s Rule was revoked and the BJP-led NDA staked claim to form the government again.
Since assuming office, he has undertaken tours to Naga-dominated Senapati and parts of Kangpokpi projecting a message of peace and development. However, Kuki bodies argue that such visits without addressing justice, rehabilitation of IDPs, and political dialogue are hollow.
According to civil society estimates, over 250 people have been killed, more than 40,000 displaced, and hundreds of villages and churches destroyed since May 3, 2023. The state continues to be divided by buffer zones maintained by Assam Rifles, Army and central paramilitary forces, with no free movement between Meitei and Kuki areas.
The KHRC, established on March 5, 2025, with the motto “Equality, Justice and Freedom,” has been documenting alleged human rights violations and advocating for a separate administration for the Kuki people at national and international forums.
