“Save Kuki Lives”, “Article 356, not 355” read placards held by Kuki women protesting to demand protection for Kuki villages at a rally outside the residence of union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi today.    

Organised by members of the Kuki Women’s Forum in Delhi and NCR, the protesters demanded action against Meitei militant groups of Arambai Tenggol and Leepun, the restraining of the armed forces in Manipur, and the transfer of Meitei officials and soldiers from the Kuki-majority areas. 

“Where is the peace you promised?” one of them shouted,  while emphasising that “failure to address the issue” may result in loss of more lives and resources.   

The protest initially began at around 9 am outside Shah’s home in Delhi’s Krishna Menon lane to demand an audience with him. It subsequently shifted to Jantar Mantar. 

One of the organisers of the protest, Hoinu Touthang, said they were first told that the home minister could meet four representatives of the forum; however, the meeting did not fructify “as he was occupied”. “The personal assistant requested us to submit a memorandum and assured us of delivering justice to the Kukis,” she said. 

The memorandum asked the central government to intervene and stop the violence inflicted by “Manipur armed forces and Meitei terrorists” on Kuki tribals. It expressed disappointment that despite a ceasefire pact, Kuki villages had been “systematically attacked” and “burned down”, with Kuki civilians being allegedly harassed and killed.  

The memorandum further alleged that after Shah’s four-day visit to Manipur began on May 29, about “56 villages were set on fire, around 20 churches were destroyed, and there were six fatalities, along with 10 injuries” inflicted by armed forces and Meitie groups. 

On May 29, the women’s forum held a similar protest at Jantar Mantar to demand President’s Rule in the state. They said “our efforts are not driven by political motives” and that they were “fighting for the lives of our people in Manipur”. 

Several protesters told Newslaundry that since Article 355 “is not resolving the violence in the state, it’s important to impose Article 356”. While Article 355 demands the union to protect a state against “external aggression and internal disturbance”, Article 356 imposes President’s Rule in the state. 

‘Chief minister must resign’

At the centre of the protest was the image of Tonsing Hangshing, a seven-year-old, who was burnt alive inside an ambulance by a violent mob in Manipur. 

“During Amit Shah's visit, he personally appealed to the Meitei and Kuki communities to maintain peace for 15 days. However, despite his earnest request, the Meitei group disregarded it and tragically took the lives of a young boy and his mother,” alleged Glady Vaiphei, one of the protesters. “It is an unimaginable loss.” 

Mary Grace, one of the protesters, said, "There are numerous women victims of this violence. I recently met a woman whose husband was brutally murdered. She is left with their five-year-old daughter. Even now, their little girl, residing in a relief center in Delhi, continuously asks the heart-wrenching question, 'Where is my father?' As mothers, we stand united as the voice of all victims affected by the violence perpetrated against the Kuki community.”  

Hoinu Touthang, one of the organisers of the protest, told Newslaundry that Arambai Tengol, Meitei Leepun, chief minister Biren Singh, and state forces “should be removed from their positions”. Grace added, “The entire media is under the control of the state government, resulting in neglect towards the issues of Kukis. Being human, people are prone to media biases, which can greatly influence their actions.”

Grace Don, a Kuki woman who was part of the protest, said that their “sole hope” rests on their meeting with Shah. “If we don't receive their help, we will be left with nowhere to go. Therefore, it is crucial for us, the women and mothers in Delhi, to become a voice of the Kuki people back in Manipur.”