Manipur Police have filed an FIR against Paojakhup Guite, President of the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Delhi, following the circulation of a video in which he allegedly incited violence against the Meitei community ahead of the Shirui Lily Festival scheduled to be held in Ukhrul district from May 20 to 24.
In the widely circulated video, Guite is seen using a loudspeaker during a public gathering, threatening that Meiteis should not be allowed to cross buffer zones to attend the festival, and further calling for violent action against any Meitei attempting to do so. The inflammatory speech has drawn widespread condemnation for promoting communal hatred and disrupting public peace.
The FIR was registered by Churachandpur Police, which has launched a search operation in neighbouring districts. A lookout notice has been issued, and police in adjoining states — Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya — have been asked to assist in locating and arresting Guite.
The Shirui Lily Festival, an annual cultural celebration of Manipur’s state flower in the Tangkhul Naga-dominated Ukhrul district, has long been viewed as a symbol of unity, especially between the Meitei and Tangkhul communities. Guite’s comments, however, have been widely condemned for attempting to undermine this spirit and deepen existing communal divides.
Civil society organisations and community leaders have expressed grave concern over the incident. The Coordinating Body, Khurai — a federation of local clubs, Meira Paibis, and working-class representatives — condemned Guite’s remarks as a deliberate attempt to provoke communal unrest. In a statement issued by its spokesperson Thoidingjam Bon Khurai, the body described Guite as a “Kuki narco-terrorist” and termed his speech as “terrorist propaganda.” It called for urgent legal action, urging authorities to treat such hate speeches as threats to national and communal security.
Meanwhile, 108 mothers from the RPI (Athawale) had lodged an FIR at Imphal Police station to arrest Paojakhup Guite, President of the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Delhi for his hate and communal speech.
Adding to concerns, the Kuki Intellectual Forum, Songpi District, publicly endorsed Guite’s views in a statement signed by its general secretary, Mark T. Kuki — raising alarm over the apparent normalization of extremist rhetoric within certain quarters.
Despite the tensions, Kuki village chiefs along the Imphal–Ukhrul route have reportedly assured the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex Tangkhul body, that they will maintain peace during the festival and refrain from frisking travelers. Their assurance has been welcomed amid fears of disruption.
Prominent Naga activist and Indigenous Peoples Forum Manipur president, Ashang Kasar, also raised serious questions over the state’s handling of such provocations under President’s Rule. “Where is the Governor, the Chief Secretary, and the DGP?” he asked, urging immediate and decisive government intervention.
Guite’s remarks come as part of his ongoing campaign titled the “People’s Movement for Separate Administration,” reportedly active in Kuki-dominated areas since May 15. His speech followed a similar threat earlier issued by the Kuki Zo Village Volunteers Eastern Zone — a statement later nullified by the Kuki Zo Council.
Authorities have assured that all necessary security arrangements will be in place to ensure the peaceful conduct of the Shirui Lily Festival and the safety of all attendees.