The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki tribes, expressed strong resentment against the repeated branding of Kuki village volunteers as militants.
KIM information and publicity secretary Janghaolun Haokip said that the constant attacks against Kuki areas bordering the valley and the torching of many villages in the peripheral Kuki regions have long posed a serious threat to the safety and security of the Kuki community.
So far, over 106 Kuki people have been killed, 201 villages and over 5000 houses burned, 355 Churches destroyed and over 41.425 Kuki population subjected to internal displacement, Haokip said.
He also stressed the need for self-defence at such a critical state of affairs, citing threat of attacks posed to the Kuki populace and their lands. Subsequently, the KIM made it clear that the Kuki village volunteers are the ones defending their lands and not the Kuki SoO groups.
