A relatively unknown organization called Rashtrahit Sarvopari Sangathan (RSS) has announced plans for a “Chalo Manipur” campaign, claiming it will bring “lakhs of people” from across India to rehabilitate displaced Meitei residents in Kuki-dominated areas of Manipur. The announcement was made during a tribute meeting at Connaught Place in New Delhi on May 3, marking the two-year anniversary of the conflict that has gripped the northeastern state since 2023.
According to news reports, Sohan Giri, who identifies as the founder and National President of the organization, made several provocative statements during the event, which was reportedly attended by representatives from approximately 50 Hindu organizations.
“Lakhs of people from all over India will soon go to Kuki areas in Manipur and will safely rehabilitate 60,000 displaced Meitei brothers in their places,” Giri stated at the meeting, which included tributes to those killed in the ongoing conflict.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a complex ethnic-religious conflict that has affected mainly the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur. While Giri’s organization portrays the situation in stark terms, attributing responsibility primarily to one group, the reality on the ground is more nuanced.
During the tribute meeting, the organization presented four demands to the government. These included updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur, facilitating the safe return of displaced persons to their original homes, taking “strong and decisive action against terror activities,” and securing the state’s National Highways, which Giri described as “vital lifelines” for Manipur’s residents.
On the subject of the NRC, Giri claimed that “unchecked and growing issue of illegal immigration has deeply disturbed the demographic structure and it poses longterm threats to the identity and rights of indigenous communities.”
The group’s call for military action is not new. In November 2024, according to the provided news clippings, the organization urged the central government to launch what they termed a “surgical strike,” against “Kuki terrorists” with Giri also alleging involvement of foreign countries and opposition parties in the conflict.
“China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and some Opposition parties have a hand in stoking the violence in Manipur,” Giri claimed in that earlier statement, without providing evidence for these assertions.
In April 2025, at a press conference at Manipur Press Club in Imphal, Giri reportedly criticized the government for what he characterized as insufficient action, suggesting that stronger measures could have prevented escalation of the conflict.
The May 3 tribute meeting was attended by various figures including Suryakant Kelkar, identified as National Convenor of Bharat Raksha Manch and Senior Sangh Pracharak; Jai Bhagwan Goyal, founder of Hindu United Front; and PK Chaudhry, described as SC/ST Ayog National Secretary of Manipur, among others.
During his November 2024 statement, Giri had characterized the demand by some Kuki groups for separate administration as “anti-National,” claiming that Kuki groups were “launching an undeclared war to mount pressure on the Government with an unreasonable demand.”
The conflict, which began on May 3, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of at least 250 people and has reportedly displaced over 60000 people, many of whom continue to live in relief camps under difficult conditions.
