By The Sampadak Express
Police forces across five northeastern states are on the lookout for Paojakhup Guite, a leader of the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO), following an FIR filed against him for allegedly delivering a hate speech targeting the Meitei community.
Guite reportedly made controversial remarks during a public gathering in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, warning Meiteis not to pass through Kuki-dominated areas en route to Ukhrul for the upcoming Shirui Lily Festival, scheduled for May 20–24. The speech, delivered in the local Kuki dialect, was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Manipur Police confirmed that an FIR has been registered and search operations are underway. “All efforts, including raids in nearby districts, are being made for his immediate arrest,” the post said. Law enforcement agencies in Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya have been requested to assist in locating Guite, whose whereabouts remain unknown as of Saturday evening.
Security has been tightened across sensitive areas to ensure safe passage for festival-goers. The Shirui Lily Festival, organised by the state tourism department, celebrates the endangered Shirui Lily native to Ukhrul district and aims to promote ecological awareness and cultural unity.
Accusations of Selective Action
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) and the KSO have criticised the FIR as an example of “selective enforcement” of the law. In a joint statement, the student body defended Guite’s speech as a critique of what it described as state-sponsored marginalisation of the Kuki community.”
His words echoed the deeply rooted fears of the Kuki people, who have long endured state apathy, systemic exclusion, and institutionalised discrimination,” the KSO (Delhi and NCR) said. The group also alleged that the state is using legal tools to suppress dissenting voices.
Meitei Groups Demand Strict Action
Meitei organisations, including the Meitei Heritage Society (MHS), have condemned Guite’s comments, labelling them a “call to violence” and a threat to communal harmony. “This dangerous and hate-filled speech must be met with the strictest legal consequences,” the MHS said, accusing Guite of being a repeat offender. They noted that he was previously booked by the Delhi Police in March 2025.
In a sharp rebuttal to the Kuki bodies, Meitei groups also alleged that Guite’s remarks are being downplayed or justified, while similar comments by Meitei individuals have been distorted and misrepresented.
Academic Link Draws Public Attention
Social media users from the Meitei community have also tagged the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode, after screenshots emerged showing Guite thanking the institution for accepting him into a PhD programme. The institute has not responded publicly.
Security and Political Context
The state government, currently under President’s Rule, has promised robust security arrangements for attendees of the Shirui Lily Festival. Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh recently visited Ukhrul to assess the situation on the ground.
Ethnic tensions in Manipur have persisted since May 2023, with over 260 lives lost and nearly 50,000 people displaced in clashes between the Kuki tribes and Meiteis, driven by disputes over land, governance, and identity.
On Friday, several Kuki MLAs and civil society organisations announced a suspension of engagement with the state government unless it resumes political dialogue with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF), both of which are part of a ceasefire agreement with the Centre and state.
