India’s Contradiction: Ignoring the Kukis while sheltering Meitei secessionists

As Myanmar’s civil war --  known as the Spring Revolution -- completes four years on February 1, the nation remains mired in bloodshed, gruesome killings, bombings, and destruction of civilian homes. The Myanmar Military Junta continues to violate human rights with impunity.

For decades, outlawed Meitei-secessionist groups, including NSCN-IM, have operated from Myanmar, aligning with the military junta despite being banned by India. These same Meitei militant groups have repeatedly ambushed and killed Indian soldiers, particularly in Kuki-Zo inhabited regions. Ironically, they continue to demand an “independent Kangleipak” (erstwhile Meitei kingdom), separate from India.

Yet, in the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, the Indian government has seemingly taken the side of the dominant Meiteis. Instead of acknowledging the reality, it blames the unrest on “foreign elements” and “transnational conspiracies”, echoing the Meitei government’s narrative without scrutiny.

TEIJANG VILLAGE

The recent intense clashes in a Kuki-Zo village 'Teijang' between the junta-backed alliance -- Meitei militants (UNLF, PLA, etc.), NSCN-IM, and the Shanni Rebels (SNA) -- against pro-democracy forces (PDF and KNA-B) have resulted in heavy casualties since January 27. The Myanmar military even resorted to airstrikes, killing dozens of PDF and KNA-B fighters.

Shockingly, the bodies of two slain Meitei militants were brought to Manipur with the help of central forces, where they were honoured with a gun salute by fellow militants in full combat gear -- an open declaration of their separatist agenda. Yet, the Indian government remains silent.

Before India’s independence, the Kuki-Zo people fought fiercely against British colonization (1917-1919) to defend their ancestral land. But when India gained independence, their homeland was arbitrarily divided, leaving behind their kin in the Chittagong Hills (Bangladesh) and Chin Hills (Myanmar).

Pic: WIKIPEDIA

Today, along the India-Myanmar Friendship Road, linking Moreh - Tamu - Kalaymyo, the Zo people remain integral to the region. Their land is the gateway to Southeast Asia, strategically significant for India. The strategic importance of the Zo homeland -- spanning Tamu, Khamphat, Tuikhaal, and Kalaymyo  -- cannot be ignored.

India, wake up! Today, you may ignore the Kukis, but tomorrow, you may need the Zo People.

VIDEO: This video clearly shows that the Meitei-secessionist group, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), trained by the Chinese government, has an undisrupted and peaceful base in Myanmar.

Some of the Meitei-Media Reports

PEOPLES CHRONICLE, IMPHAL

IMPHAL TIMES

MEITEI SOCIAL MEDIA

HAYENGIDAMAK = "For Our Tomorrow".

“All the injured members of the JUNTA Alliance -- NSCN, SNA, PYU SAW, and KATHE FORCES (MEITEI GROUP-5) -- have been admitted to Tamu District Hospital.”

~ KHALVONTAWI MEDIA

(Voice of the Voiceless)

02.02.2025

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