Imphal, Jan 26: The Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) has strongly condemned the Government of India’s decision to confer the Shaurya Chakra on Assistant Commandant Vipin Wilson of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), calling the award a “grave injustice” and demanding its immediate revocation.
In a press statement issued on Republic Day, KOHUR alleged that the gallantry award amounts to a state endorsement of the alleged extrajudicial killing of ten Kuki-Zo (Hmar) village volunteers in Jiribam, Manipur, on November 11, 2024. The organisation claimed that the victims were unarmed or minimally armed civilians engaged in community defence duties during a period of ethnic violence.
Citing what it described as credible evidence, including forensic reports and eyewitness testimonies, KOHUR rejected official accounts that labelled the victims as militants, asserting that the incident was “not an encounter but an execution.” The organisation said conferring the award undermines constitutional values and signals impunity for violence against minority communities.
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KOHUR placed three key demands before the government: immediate revocation of the Shaurya Chakra and related commendations; the establishment of an independent investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court of India, with participation of credible human rights observers; and prosecution of all personnel found responsible for unlawful killings, misuse of force and alleged attempts to conceal facts.
The organisation said the government must choose between upholding the rule of law and citizens’ rights or using state authority to “sanitise violence and divide the nation.” Reaffirming solidarity with the families of the victims, KOHUR stated it would continue to pursue justice, dignity and human rights for the Kuki-Zo people.
