Guwahati: Manipur Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Paojakhup Guite, the president of the Kuki Student Organisation (KSO) in Delhi and NCR, following his threats to obstruct Meiteis from crossing the buffer zone to attend the upcoming Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district. The police assured full security for all attendees at the festival, which is in its fifth edition and located in an area predominantly inhabited by Nagas.
Following Guite’s threats, which he reportedly made in a video circulated on social media, a search operation has been initiated to locate him. The police have also sought assistance from neighboring northeastern states, including Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, to apprehend him swiftly. A post by Manipur Police on X stated, “As regards to one Paojakhup Guite, Prez KSO Delhi threats to the Meitei, to not allow to cross the buffer zone to attend the upcoming Shirui Festival in Ukhrul.”
The Churachandpur district police have formally registered the FIR, emphasizing ongoing efforts to execute his arrest, including raids in adjacent districts. In response, the KSO, Delhi & NCR, condemned the filing of the FIR, labeling it as “politically motivated.” The organization described this move as an attack on democratic values and an attempt to suppress the voice of a historically marginalized community.
In their statement, the KSO highlighted Guite’s recent public remarks during an address in Churachandpur, where he raised concerns about possible encroachments on buffer zones that were created to maintain peace amid ongoing ethnic tensions. His comments reflect the long-standing fears among the Kuki people regarding state negligence and systemic exclusion.
The KSO contended that the FIR is not only an attack on Guite but also part of a larger effort to undermine Kuki leadership. They demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the FIR, emphasizing, “Let it be crystal clear: speaking truth to power is not sedition—it is an act of democratic courage.”
The Shirui Festival, dedicated to Manipur’s state flower, the Shirui Lily, is scheduled for May 20 to May 24. Situated in the hills of Ukhrul, this festival route, approximately 80 kilometers from Imphal, traverses multiple Kuki villages. The region has been marked by conflict between the Kukis and Meiteis since the ethnic discord in May 2023.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/manipur-police-file-fir-against-kuki-leader-for-threatening-meiteis/articleshow/121240725.cms
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Publish Date: 2025-05-18 05:16:00
