Imphal, May 17 – Manipur Police have registered an FIR against Paojakhup Guite, president of the Kuki Student Organisation (KSO), Delhi, over a video threatening Meiteis from attending the upcoming Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district. The video has stirred widespread concern and condemnation across the state.
In a post on social media platform X, Manipur Police stated, “As regards to one Paojakhup Guite, Prez KSO Delhi threats (in a video) to the Meitei, to not allow to cross the buffer zone to attend the upcoming Shirui festival in Ukhrul, which is circulated in social media since yesterday, Churachandpur police has registered an FIR and all efforts, including raid, are being made in nearby districts for his immediate arrest.”
Efforts are underway to apprehend Guite with the assistance of police forces from neighbouring states, including Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya.
In the widely circulated video, Guite stated that any Meitei, "whether man or woman," attending the festival “should not be allowed to leave alive.” His remarks were met with widespread outrage.
Prominent Naga activist and president of Indigenous Peoples Forum Manipur, Ashang Kasar, questioned the law enforcement machinery during the President’s Rule in the state. “During President's rule in Manipur, why such activities allowed? Where is Governor? Where is Chief Secretary? Where is DGP?” he asked.
The Shirui Lily Festival, celebrating the state flower that blooms in the hills of the Tangkhul Naga-dominated Ukhrul district, is scheduled to take place from May 20 to 24. Security arrangements are being reinforced to ensure the safety of attendees.
The nearly 80-km route from Imphal to Ukhrul passes through multiple Kuki villages. In a positive gesture, Kuki chiefs along this route have assured the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) – the apex body of the Tangkhul Naga tribe – of their commitment to a peaceful environment and have reaffirmed their decision to avoid frisking passersby within TNL’s jurisdiction.
Since May 2023, Manipur has witnessed ongoing ethnic violence between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the hill-dwelling Kuki-Zo communities, resulting in over 260 deaths and displacing thousands. Following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the Centre imposed President’s Rule on February 13. The state assembly remains under suspended animation until its term ends in 2027.
