Manipur’s tribal group says misinformation being spread about Kuki-Zo communities

Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), a tribal body representing the Kuki people of Manipur, on Wednesday, accused the state government of spreading misinformation about Kuki-Zo communities and urged the Centre to intervene and address the “bias and injustice” against them.
In a statement, the KIM also rejected the claims made by the Manipur Security Adviser that some “900 Kuki militants” trained in jungle warfare and the use of weaponised drones had entered the violence-hit state and planning a coordinated attack against the Meitei community on September 28.
The Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur have asked their community to be vigilant between September 26 and 29, days after Security Advisor to Manipur Chief Minister, Kuldiep Singh, issued a high alert at the Indo-Myanmar border after a report of some “900 Kuki militants” trained in jungle warfare and use of weaponized drones have entered Manipur from Myanmar.
Two Kuki apex bodies imposed a total shutdown in all Kuki-inhabited regions and issued a public notice alleging that the intelligence report from the Manipur government and the security advisor regarding the infiltration of 900 trained Kuki militants is unfounded.
Two different statements were issued on Tuesday by the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), an apex Kuki body, and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), another Kuki organisation. Both are based in Churachandpur, Manipur.
KIM stated that the information from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) regarding the alleged infiltration of 900 trained Kuki militants from Myanmar and a supposed coordinated attack against Meitei villages on September 28 is unfounded.
It alleged that the statement is completely baseless and was allegedly fabricated by the Manipur government to justify a planned attack against the Kuki-Zo people.
The Kuki body advised all Kukis to remain at home and refrain from travelling or working on September 27 and 28. A total shutdown will be enforced on September 28 in all Kuki-Zo inhabited regions, monitored by Kuki Inpi and the KSO in their respective areas.
Meanwhile, the ITLF, in its statement, said all Kuki-Zos must not travel outside Kuki-Zo areas between September 26-29 and announced the closure of borders. It added that all schools, institutions, and offices should remain closed on September 27-29, and medical teams and ambulances should be on standby during that period.
The ITLF also urged all district security personnel, including state and central forces, to remain extremely vigilant to thwart any outside attacks.