Guwahati, April 14 -- The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) on Tuesday strongly opposed the Manipur government's reported proposal to replace Central security forces with state forces in hill districts and foothill areas, warning that any such move would be "categorically rejected" by the Kuki community.

In a statement issued by its Secretariat, the organisation said the proposal, referred to in remarks by the State Home Minister, was being viewed as an attempt to project normalcy while reinforcing the state's control over Kuki-inhabited areas.

The Kuki Inpi alleged that the move could perpetuate what it described as "oppression and subjugation" of the Kuki people, and cautioned that altering the current security arrangement amid ongoing tensions...