On September 28, many Kuki organisations in Manipur demanded a shutdown in tribal-dominated regions after the government claimed, based on an intelligence assessment, that 900 Kuki militants had entered the state from Myanmar in order to attack the Meitei population.
Two Kuki apex organisations have declared that the intelligence report, which was also mentioned by state security advisor Kuldiep Singh, is false and have enforced a complete closure in all Kuki-inhabited territories. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), another Kuki organisation, and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the highest Kuki body, released the two declarations on Tuesday. Churachandpur, in Manipur, is home to both.
KIM stated that the claims made by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) about the supposed September 28 coordinated attack against Meitei communities and the infiltration of 900 skilled Kuki terrorists from Myanmar were untrue. The Kuki body claimed that the Manipur government had manufactured the statement to support a planned attack, and that it was totally without foundation.
On September 27 and 28, it requested that all Kukis stay at home and abstain from going somewhere or working. It further stated that on September 28, a complete shutdown will be implemented in all areas inhabited by Kuki-Zo, with oversight from Kuki Inpi and the KSO in their respective zones. Additionally, it voiced concern that Kuki areas may be the target of coordinated attacks on September 28 and requested that all volunteers for Kuki-Zo village fortify their positions in the “buffer zones.”
The ITLF declared the closure of borders and urged all Kuki-Zos to stay inside their areas on September 26–29 in a separate statement. It further stated that on September 27–29, all offices, schools, and other institutions should be closed. Additionally, ambulances and medical teams should be on call throughout that time.