New Delhi: In an incident raising concerns over the security situation in Manipur, Kuki volunteers allegedly took 20 people, including an Army jawan, captive on the Ukhrul–Imphal road within the Litan police station jurisdiction in the Ukhrul district. The jawan was on leave and passing by when the incident happened.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) said that the Kuki volunteers were retaliating for an “unprovoked firing incident” in the district, which has a significant Naga population. Earlier, a Naga group not only fired upon their people but also took two hostages, he alleged.
Manipur Police termed the entire episode a “clash” between the two communities, the Kukis and the Nagas, and also said that they will resolve it soon. Negotiations for the hostages’ release continued through Wednesday, and civil society groups were brought on board to ensure everyone’s safe return.
In an official statement, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh expressed concerns over the crisis and appealed for the safe and unconditional release of the 20 detainees.
The government is treating the matter “seriously” and “will take all necessary steps to book the culprits involved in such a cowardly act,” according to the statement.
Speaking to ThePrint, Lun Kingpin, Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) spokesperson, said the incident was in retaliation for the alleged firing on Kuki paddy farmers by armed miscreants believed to be from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland–Isak-Muivah.
NSCN-IM is a Naga radical group that demands a separate flag and constitution. It proposes a sovereign ethnic homeland, including Nagaland and Naga-inhabited areas in Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Myanmar.
In 2015, the NSCN-IM signed a framework deal with the Centre to end its decades-old insurgency for a ‘Greater Nagaland’ or ‘Nagalim’.
On Wednesday morning, “at about 6 o’clock, some armed miscreants purportedly belonging to the NSCN-IM resorted to unprovoked firing at Thawai Kuki village. Village volunteers had to respond to save our paddy cultivators in the fields until the CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) and 8 Bihar regiment personnel arrived,” Lun Kingpin said. “After their arrival, firing from both sides ceased. However, two of our volunteers were captured; one escaped despite being shot in the leg. The other person is still missing.”
He further said that Kuki volunteers held some people to negotiate the release of their people. Their people were taken captive, but “no one is talking about that,” Lun Kingpin said, adding that negotiations were still underway.
Police, however, refuted the claim of armed Naga miscreants in the Thawai Kuki village, calling the incident a “clash”.
“A fight broke out between the communities. Some Kukis went missing and, in retaliation, three cars were stopped on the Ukhrul–Imphal road, and some men were taken captive,” an officer said, adding that the men’s release has been demanded. “Talks are in the last stages; the issue has been resolved. The men will soon be released.”
The Manipur CM assured the victims’ families and the public that the government is treating the matter seriously and will take all steps to bring all the accused to book. “…the government is committed to the safety of every citizen of Manipur,” the statement said.
This is a developing story
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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