Tribal student bodies in Manipur threaten to boycott NIA over alleged bias against Kuki

Several tribal student organisations in Manipur warned that they would be compelled to boycott the National Investigation Agency (NIA) if the agency continues to summon members of the Kuki-Zo community in its ongoing probes, alleging systemic bias and selective targeting.

In a joint statement, the Zomi Students’ Federation, Kuki Students’ Organisation, and Hmar Students’ Association claimed that recent developments reflect an attempt to “suppress voices” and “criminalise community leadership.” The groups accused the NIA of displaying a “high degree of bias” in filing and handling cases related to the ethnic conflict, asserting that “innocent society leaders” had been unfairly targeted.

The student bodies also defended the four members of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) who were kill