Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) expresses its strongest condemnation and serious concern over the protest announcement circulated by the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Delhi & NCR regarding the unfortunate killing of three Thadou church leaders in Manipur. TKS also appealed the Delhi Police and and all concerned authorities, under the provisions and preventive powers vested by the Delhi Police Act, 1978, to take immediate cognizance of the proposed protest and critically examine the circulated materials and intended demonstrations, which prima facie amount to communal provocation, defamation, and incitement capable of disturbing public order, communal harmony, and social peace.
The press statement of TKS reads, “at the outset, the Saklong unequivocally condemns the killing of innocent civilians and religious leaders. Such heinous acts deserve a fair, impartial, and lawful investigation by the competent authorities. Justice must be established through due legal process and not through inflammatory propaganda or communal targeting.
“However, the attempt by KSO Delhi & NCR to publicly blame a community (Tangkhul) and a neutral organization (NSCN-IM) without any verified evidence, official investigation, or judicial finding is deeply irresponsible, defamatory, inflammatory, and dangerous. Such reckless allegations have the potential to further aggravate the already fragile communal situation in Manipur, and also during and after the event in Delhi & NCR.
“The Saklong strongly reiterates that if KSO Delhi possesses any credible evidence regarding the incident, the lawful course of action is to furnish such evidence before the compétent investigating agencies and judicial authorities. Public demonstrations based on unverified accusations and ethnically charged narratives cannot substitute the rule of law.
“It is highly unfortunate that a student organization, which ought to uphold peace, academic integrity, and communal harmony, has instead chosen a path that risks deepening ethnic hostility and public disorder. At a time when Manipur is passing through one of the most sensitive phases in its history, responsible organizations must exercise restraint and maturity rather than indulge in false narratives capable of provoking further violence in and outside Manipur.”
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
The Saklong further points out that organizing and publicizing protests based on unverified and inflammatory accusations attract liability under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including:
Section 196-Promoting enmity between different groups;
Section 197-Assertions prejudicial to national integration and communal harmony;
Section 353-Statements conducing to public mischief;
Section 356-Defamation.
Further, dissemination of provocative posters and communal allegations through digital and social media platforms also attract scrutiny under applicable provisions of the Information Technology Act and relevant digital intermediary regulations concerning inflammatory content.
The Saklong also reminds that under the spirit and provisions of the Delhi Police Act, 1978, authorities are empowered to prevent assemblies and activities likely to disturb public peace and communal harmony.
APPEAL TO DELHI POLICE
The Saklong therefore urgently appeals to the Delhi Police and all concerned authorities, under the provisions and preventive powers vested by the Delhi Police Act, 1978, to take immediate cognizance of the proposed protest and critically examine the circulated materials and intended demonstrations, which prima facie amount to communal provocation, defamation, and incitement capable of disturbing public order, communal harmony, and social peace.
In view of the prevailing sensitive ethnic situation and the potential risk of public disorder, the Delhi Police is empowered to regulate, prohibit, or impose necessary conditions upon any assembly or demonstration likely to result in communal disharmony, breach of peace, or threats to law and order.
The Saklong strongly calls upon KSO Delhi & NCR to immediately withdraw the proposed protest and all defamatory and inflammatory content targeting the Tangkhul community and refrain from making baseless allegations unsupported by evidence.
Student organizations must become instruments of peace, reconciliation, and responsible dialogue; not vehicles for hatred, misinformation, and ethnic polarization.
“The Saklong remains committed to justice, truth, lawful accountability, and peaceful coexistence among all communities” added the press statement issued by TKS.
