Manipur Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Paojakhup Guite, the President of the Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) Delhi unit, after a video surfaced of him allegedly threatening the Meitei community. The threats were specifically related to the upcoming Shirui Lily Festival, scheduled to be held in Ukhrul district from May 20 to 24. The video, widely circulated on social media, purportedly shows Guite warning that Meiteis crossing the buffer zone into Ukhrul for the festival would not be allowed to return alive.
In the video, Guite is reportedly seen using a loudspeaker during a public gathering, issuing threats against Meitei individuals planning to attend the festival. He allegedly stated that Meiteis should not be allowed to cross buffer zones to attend the festival, and further called for violent action against any Meitei attempting to do so.
The Manipur Police have taken swift action, registering the FIR at Churachandpur police station and launching a search operation in neighboring districts to apprehend Guite. Law enforcement agencies in neighboring states, including Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, and Meghalaya, have also been alerted to assist in his apprehension. The police have also requested these neighboring states to arrest Guite as quickly as possible and have released a photograph of him.
The Shirui Lily Festival is an annual cultural event held in Ukhrul district, which is dominated by the Tangkhul Naga community. The festival celebrates the Shirui Lily, Manipur's state flower, and is seen as a symbol of unity, particularly between the Meitei and Tangkhul communities.
Guite's statements have been met with widespread condemnation, with many civil society organizations and community leaders expressing grave concern over the potential for communal unrest. The Coordinating Body, Khurai, a federation of local clubs, Meira Paibis, and working-class representatives, has strongly condemned Guite's remarks. They described him as a “Kuki narco-terrorist” and termed his speech as “terrorist propaganda,” calling for urgent legal action and urging authorities to treat such hate speeches as threats to national and communal security. Similarly, 108 mothers from the RPI (Athawale) have lodged an FIR at Imphal Police station, demanding Guite's arrest for his hate speech.
The Meitei Heritage Society has also issued a stern response, labeling Guite's remarks as “shocking and inflammatory” and accusing him of openly inciting violence against Meiteis. The society emphasized that such "dangerous and hate-filled speech must be met with the strictest legal consequences." They also noted that Guite is already facing a separate FIR filed by Delhi Police in March 2025.
In response to the threats, Manipur Police have stated that all necessary security arrangements will be made to ensure the safety of people attending the Shirui festival. Security has been tightened in and around Ukhrul ahead of the festival, which is scheduled to take place from May 20 to 24.
The incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic tensions in Manipur between the Meitei community, who primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo groups, who are the majority in the hill areas. The violence between the communities has resulted in over 260 deaths since May 2023 and has displaced thousands of people.
