A case has been registered against Paojakhup Guite, president of the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Delhi, after a video surfaced on social media allegedly showing him issuing threats to the Meitei community, warning them not to cross the buffer zone to attend the upcoming Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul.
The two communities have been at loggerheads, resulting in widespread ethnic violence that has ravaged the state since May 2023.
Churachandpur Police confirmed an FIR has been registered against Guite and stated that a search operation to nab him has been launched.
“As regards to one Paojakhup Guite, President of KSO Delhi, who threatened the Meitei community in a video circulated on social media, an FIR has been registered. Raids are being conducted in nearby districts for his immediate arrest,” Manipur Police said in a post on X.
In an effort to expedite the search, authorities have also reached out to police departments in neighbouring states — Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya — seeking assistance in locating and apprehending Guite.
“The police of neighbouring states of Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland & Meghalaya etc have been requested for arresting him as quickly as possible. All necessary security arrangements shall be made to ensure security of people attending the Shirui festival,” the post further read.
Meanwhile, security has been heightened ahead of the 5th Shirui Lily Festival, scheduled to take place from May 20 to 24 in Manipur’s Ukhrul district. Law enforcement agencies have assured the public of robust security arrangements to ensure the festival proceeds peacefully and without disruption.
The Shirui Lily Festival, a state-level cultural celebration named after the rare Shirui Lily found in the region, is being held outside Imphal city for the first time.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla recently chaired a preparatory meeting of the festival’s organising committee.
To facilitate public participation, the Manipur State Transport (MST) has announced special bus services from Imphal to Ukhrul from May 20 to 24. Three buses will operate daily between the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), Imphal, and Shirui Public Ground, Ukhrul, with tickets priced at Rs 200 per passenger.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have urged citizens to maintain peace and harmony during the festival period.
MANIPUR ETHNIC VIOLENCE
On May 3, 2023, ethnic violence erupted in Manipur between the Meitei people, a majority that lives in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal community from the surrounding hills following a High Court’s order that recommended a Scheduled Tribe status for the dominant Meitei community.
This led to the death of nearly 250 people and 60,000 others were displaced. This decision was later criticised by the Supreme Court.