Imphal: The Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has strongly condemned what it termed as “baseless and inflammatory” allegations against the Kuki-Zo community in connection with a fatal bomb blast that claimed the lives of two Meitei minor children in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Monday.
In a press release issued on April 7, KOHUR expressed profound grief over the tragic deaths, stating that it stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. The organisation unequivocally denounced the act of violence, describing it as heinous, and reiterated its position against all forms of violence irrespective of community or ethnicity.
However, KOHUR raised serious concerns over statements made by certain Meitei political figures and sections of the media, who allegedly attributed responsibility for the blast to the Kuki-Zo community without presenting any evidence. The organisation termed such accusations as reckless and irresponsible, warning that they risk escalating communal tensions at an already sensitive time in the state.
The human rights body further argued that the incident occurred in a
Meitei-dominated area, where, under the current ground situation, access by members of the Kuki-Zo community is “virtually impossible.” It pointed out that buffer zones between the communities are under strict surveillance by central security forces, making any such alleged movement across the divide highly unlikely. In this context, KOHUR maintained that the claims implicating the Kuki-Zo community are not only unsubstantiated but also logistically implausible.
Calling for an impartial and credible inquiry, KOHUR urged the authorities to hand over the investigation to a central agency such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It emphasized that only an independent probe free from political interference can establish the truth, ensure justice for the victims, and prevent the incident from being exploited for political gains.
The organisation also appealed to the media, civil society groups, and political leaders to exercise restraint and responsibility by relying on verified facts rather than speculation. It stressed that tragedies involving innocent lives, particularly children, must not be used as tools for propaganda or to deepen communal divisions.
The bomb blast in Bishnupur has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in Manipur, where ethnic tensions have remained high over the past year. Authorities have yet to officially confirm the perpetrators behind the attack, and investigations are ongoing.
