Congress has links with Kuki outfits, claims Manipur BJP

The Manipur unit of BJP on Wednesday accused the opposition Congress of maintaining an alleged alliance with Kuki separatist outfits.

BJP Manipur unit General Secretary, K. Sharatkumar in support of his claim referred a letter by the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC) to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha.

According to the BJP leader the November 25 letter urged the Congress to introduce a “Kuki Political Solution Bill” in Parliament, seeking a separate Union Territory for Kuki tribals dominated areas.

Sharatkumar claimed this appeal was evidently clear a “pact” between Kuki organisations and the Congress.

He alleged that an election directive was issued by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) during the Lok Sabha elections in the state in April 2024 purportedly instructed Kuki tribal voters to support Congress candidates, promising in return the party’s backing for a separate Kuki administration, exemption from the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and other political assurances.

Sharatkumar also alleged that Kuki separatist groups, including those under Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements, had coordinated with the Congress party to manipulate the election process.

He cited the “deployment of cadres at polling booths and threats of punitive action against non-compliant voters as examples of electoral interference”.

“Congress had a tacit alliance with Kuki groups to push for policies favoring Kuki dominance in Manipur, including controversial proposals like excluding Chin-Zomi-Mizo tribes from Scheduled Tribe recognition while protecting Kuki classifications,” the BJP leader stated.

Sharatkumar also alleged that these actions facilitated unchecked immigration and population dominance by illegal Kuki immigrants, threatening Manipur’s social and political fabric besides upsetting demography.

The BJP General Secretary claimed the ongoing violence in Manipur, which broke out in May last year was a premeditated effort orchestrated by Kuki leaders, including Myanmar-born P.S Haokip, who is also the President of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO).

Sharatkumar also referred to a viral video of Kuki National Army (KNA) cadres displaying sophisticated weaponry as evidence of foreign involvement and the growing strength of Kuki insurgency networks.

The BJP leader explained about the threat posed by Kuki separatism and alleged narco-terrorism.

He equated the fight against Kuki militancy with India’s battle against other forms of terrorism, urging united action to protect the state’s integrity and national security.

The BJP leader alleged that Kuki outfits, including those observing the Suspension of Operations (SoO) deal, had worked together with the Congress to manipulate the election process.

Meanwhile, when Congress was in power in Manipur SoO agreement was signed with United Peoples' Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) outfits.

The UPF and KNO, which are a conglomerate of 23 militant outfits, signed the SoO with the government on August 22, 2008 and then there are 2,266 cadres who are supposed to stay in different designated camps in Manipur.