Manipur’s Crisis Unveiled: India’s Brutality in Silencing Peaceful Protesters and Covering Up Political Crimes and Ethnic Violence

India’s treatment of Manipur’s population has once again been exposed as a clear violation of human rights. The violent dispersal of internally displaced persons (IDPs) protesting the Sangai Festival and the tampering of evidence in the Manipur Tapes scandal highlights the oppression and brutality inflicted on the vulnerable populations in the region. India’s actions, under the Modi government, demonstrate a pattern of political repression and systematic violence against minorities, with a complete disregard for their fundamental rights. These events not only show India’s failure to address its internal conflicts but also its willingness to cover up its role in fueling violence and human suffering.

India’s Brutal Dispersal of IDPs: A Violation of Basic Rights

Tension erupted in Imphal, Manipur, when Indian forces used tear gas and lathi charges to disperse peaceful IDPs protesting the Sangai Festival. These IDPs, who have endured years of suffering and displacement, demanded resettlement and freedom of movement, condemning the festival as insensitive amidst their ongoing crisis. Their demands were met with force, not empathy.

♦ Excessive Use of Force Against Peaceful Protesters
The Indian government’s violent crackdown on peaceful protesters is an example of its disdain for democratic norms. Instead of addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region, it chose to attack peaceful dissenters with brutal force.
♦ Prioritizing Festivals Over Human Rights
The government’s decision to prioritize a tourism festival over addressing the basic needs of the displaced communities underscores its failure to address real issues. Killing the opportunity for resettlement while indulging in festivities shows a lack of regard for human dignity.
♦ Ignoring the Plight of the Displaced
India’s insensitivity to the plight of IDPs is evident. The humanitarian needs of the people have been overlooked in favor of organizing a non-essential event while families continue to live in fear and oppression.

The Kuki Rights Group Exposes the Tampering of Evidence in the Manipur Tapes Case

The Manipur Tapes scandal has implicated Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in instigating violence against the Christian-majority Kuki community. These tapes, submitted to the Supreme Court of India in 2025, allegedly show Singh giving directives to loot arms and use bombs. However, the Indian authorities have deliberately tampered with evidence in an attempt to block a full investigation into the ethnic violence that has claimed over 260 lives, injured 1,500, and displaced thousands.

♦ Evidence Manipulation by Indian Authorities
Indian authorities sent only edited excerpts of the full 48-minute recording to forensic labs, withholding the complete evidence. This deliberate action reflects their intent to conceal the truth about the violence that unfolded in Manipur.
♦ Concealing Evidence to Protect Perpetrators
By restricting access to the full recordings, the government has ensured that official investigations failed to verify the authenticity of the evidence. The Indian government’s role in covering up the truth is apparent, as it continues to suppress evidence in an effort to protect its own officials.
♦ KOHUR’s Demand for Independent Investigation
The Kuki Organization for Human Rights (KOHUR) has demanded a court-monitored investigation, calling for an independent and unbiased inquiry to uncover the truth behind the violence in Manipur and the government’s role in the cover-up.

India’s Political and Social Repression: A Pattern of Injustice

The political violence and social repression in Manipur are a direct result of the Indian government’s policies, which have consistently used force to suppress dissent and opposition. The Modi administration’s refusal to address the root causes of ethnic violence only fuels the political instability in the region.

♦ BJP’s Role in Escalating Violence
The BJP-led government has failed to control the escalating violence in Manipur, making it complicit in the ongoing humanitarian disaster. The government’s inaction has exacerbated the crisis, leaving Kuki communities and others vulnerable to continued violence and oppression.
♦ Failure to Address the Root Causes
Instead of focusing on resolving the underlying issues, the Indian government has chosen to focus on tourism and festivals, perpetuating the cycle of violence and displacement.
♦ Harassment of Minority Communities
The Kuki and Kashmiri communities in Manipur have faced continuous persecution under Indian rule, primarily fueled by the Hindutva ideology supported by the government. The government’s discriminatory treatment has created an environment of fear and violence against marginalized groups.

India’s Use of Force Against Protesters: A Clear Violation of Human Rights

The Indian forces’ actions in Manipur, particularly in the violent repression of peaceful IDP protesters, reveal the authoritarian nature of the Indian state. India’s willingness to use military force against peaceful civilians exposes its growing disregard for democratic freedoms and human rights.

♦ Excessive Force Against Peaceful Protesters
The Indian state’s use of excessive violence against peaceful protesters is a direct violation of democratic principles. This brutal response sends a dangerous message that any form of dissent will be met with militarized force.
♦ Militarization of Civil Society
The increasing militarization of India’s civil society is a direct attempt to suppress freedom and intimidate dissenters. The growing reliance on force to control opposition is a threat to democratic values in India.

India’s Failure to Uphold Human Rights and Protect Minorities

India’s failure to protect its minorities and uphold human rights is evident in the discrimination and violence faced by Kuki and Kashmiri communities. Despite international condemnation, India continues to persecute and suppress these vulnerable groups without any accountability.

♦ International Failure to Intervene
The international community has largely ignored India’s systematic targeting of minorities. It is time for the world to take action and demand accountability for the human rights abuses taking place in Manipur and Kashmir.
♦ Human Rights Violations Must Be Addressed
The Indian government’s actions continue to violate the fundamental rights of its citizens, and it must be held accountable for its discriminatory policies. The Kuki and Kashmiri people deserve justice, and the world must ensure that India is held responsible for its crimes.

Accountability: Holding India Responsible for Its Actions

The international community must hold India accountable for its atrocities in Manipur and Kashmir. The Indian government’s treatment of Kashmiri and Kuki minorities must be addressed, and India must face consequences for its continued oppression of these communities.