ITAC Condemns Arrest of Hmar Civilians in Jiribam

 INDIGENOUS TRIBES ADVOCACY COMMITTEE (ITAC)

PHERZAWL & JIRIBAM DISTRICTS

Motto: Protection of Tribal Land and Rights

STATEMENT OF CONDEMNATION

The Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee (ITAC), a body constituted by all tribal CSOs in Pherzawl and Jiribam districts, expresses grave concern and unequivocal condemnation of the arbitrary arrest of two Hmar civilians, namely Mr. Thanglienlal Hmar and Mr. Lalrosâng Hmar, both residents of Moinathol village, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on 31 July 2025 in connection with the alleged incidents in Manipur’s Jiribam district.

This arrest, much like the arbitrary detention of other Kuki-Zomi-Hmar tribals, is yet another stark illustration of selective prosecution and targeted harassment of Hmar tribal innocent civilians under the guise of national investigation. It further exposes the deeply entrenched bias within the central agencies and the judicial mechanisms, including the Manipur High Court, that seem to be operating with impunity and clear partiality in favour of the dominant Meitei community amidst the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur.

The narrative that the arrested Hmar innocent civilians played a “logistical role” in an alleged coordinated killing — without any transparent and independent verification — clearly indicates a predetermined conclusion intended to criminalise tribal resistance while systematically ignoring the heinous atrocities committed by the majoritarian Meitei community against the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar tribals.

ITAC is compelled to highlight the following cases before the law enforcement authorities:

 Where is justice for Mr. David Hmar, whose decapitated body remains a symbol of brutality inflicted by Meitei extremists? What immunity protect Mairembam Romesh Mangang – the beheader of Mr. David Hmar?

 Where is the prosecution of those responsible for the public rape and torture of (L) Zosangkim Hmar — a crime that shook our collective conscience?

 Where are the arrests of Arambai Tenggol leaders, openly leading hate-filled rallies, looting state armouries, and calling for ethnic cleansing?

Instead of upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all Indian citizens as enshrined in Articles 14, 21 and 22 of the Constitution, the Manipur High Court and the NIA appear to have become instruments of state-sponsored repression, targeting already vulnerable tribal populations while emboldening majoritarian violence.

This pattern of legal apartheid — where one community’s suffering is silenced, and another’s vengeance is served with state machinery — is unacceptable in a democratic republic. We remind the authorities that justice is not vengeance, and arbitrary enforcement of law on selected community and selective enforcement are direct violations of the principle of equality and human rights before the law.

The ITAC further expresses concerns that the securities, investigation agencies including NIA should not act through the pressures put by the Manipur High Court to serve the majoritarian Meitei community. Such actions will further widen rifts between the two rival ethnic groups and will also cause immense hurdles in the ongoing peace process in Manipur.

ITAC, therefore, condemns the arrest of Thanglienlal Hmar and Lalrosâng Hmar as arbitrary, politically motivated, and reflective of a communalised legal process, and therefore, demands the immediate release of the two Hmar innoc8ent civilians as well as all other tribal leaders and civil society members detained without due process or on trumped-up charges and call for an impartial international and judicial inquiry into the systemic and targeted violence against the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar peoples. Let us remember that peace and justice cannot be built on a foundation of institutional bias and selective memory.

Issued by-
Department of Information & Publicity
Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee (ITAC)
Pherzawl District & Jiribam District.

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