Guwahati: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has demanded an independent and impartial inquiry into the detention of eight cadres of the Kuki Liberation Organisation/Kuki Liberation Army (KLO/KLA) and the seizure of seven registered automatic firearms, saying the incident could undermine trust between security forces and groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
In a statement, the KIM said the eight cadres belonged to a recognised SoO signatory operating under the tripartite agreement and described their detention, along with the seizure of the state-monitored weapons, as a serious breach of the prevailing understanding between the security forces and SoO groups.
The organisation said such unilateral action was inconsistent with the spirit of the SoO arrangement and maintained that any action involving signatories must be carried out in accordance with the agreed framework, established protocols and applicable law.
The KIM demanded the immediate release of the eight detainees and restoration of the registered firearms to the designated framework. It said these measures were necessary to restore confidence and maintain institutional trust.
The organisation also said the custody and investigation of the detainees should remain under the jurisdiction of the Kangpokpi district authorities and follow established legal procedures.
Any attempt to remove or transfer the detainees beyond their lawful jurisdiction without due legal process and proper authorisation would, according to the KIM, amount to a departure from established procedure and further undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.
The KIM also raised concerns over what it described as the alleged disproportionate use of force against civil society during the incident.
It referred to reports of indiscriminate use of crowd-control munitions and live ammunition against civilians, which it said resulted in widespread injuries requiring emergency medical treatment. The organisation called for a thorough investigation into the use of force and accountability for any excessive or unlawful action.
The KIM said the use of force by state authorities must remain lawful, necessary and proportionate and comply with constitutional guarantees and applicable human-rights standards.
It called upon the highest offices of the Union Government to take immediate corrective measures and prevent further actions that could undermine the existing understanding between the parties.