New Delhi: After a gap of around four months, Manipur has seen a fresh bout of violence since 1 September, with drone attacks, rocket launchers and gun firing. Eleven people including both Kukis and Meiteis have reportedly died this month. Chief Minister Biren Singh has met the governor for the second time in the last 24 hours.
As the strife between the Meitei and Kuki communities drags on, the toll on families — on both sides — deepens.
A Meitei woman, Ngangbam Surbala, was killed on 1 September, when suspected Kuki militants attacked villagers in Koutruk in Imphal West district. Her grieving husband, Ingo, a Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel with the Manipur Police in Phayeng Mayai Leikai, had told ThePrint, “The central forces stood by as mute spectators; this happened right in front of them. I don’t want anyone else to go through what I’ve been through. I want to be the last husband who has to suffer this. It’s time now — we want peace and a return to normal life.”
A week later, on Sunday, a 47-year-old Kuki woman, Nengjakhol Lhungdim, was killed in what her husband, Pu Seikhogin Lhungdim, called an “explosive attack” by militant groups in Thangbuh village in Kangpokpi district. Much like Ingo, Seikhogin seeks an end to the violence.
“Around 5.30 pm, we were all gathered at the village chief’s house with other internally displaced persons (IDPs). That evening, about five IDP women were present there. Suddenly, the house was bombarded with shrapnel and bullets,” Seikhogin recounted. “In the chaos, as everyone tried to flee, she (Nengjakhol) was struck and died instantly. The initial gunfire was intense, with bullets raining on the house.”
Nengjakhol was the mother of six children, with the eldest serving in the Assam Regiment. Seikhogin expressed how the incident felt like a flashback, while explaining his frustration with the Central Reserve Police Force.
“Our village was attacked in similar fashion on 16 July last year. Our village has around 20 houses only. This is the third rotation of CRPF personnel assigned to the area. Earlier, we were so fearful for our safety that we had to seek refuge in Churachandpur. But with the arrival of the new batch, we felt more secure and decided to return to our village,” he told ThePrint.
He added: “Despite this, after what happened to my wife, I don’t feel safe at all. It was like heavy rain. There was non-stop firing till about 8 pm. The CRPF presence seems to be just for show, they’re not effectively addressing the situation.”
“The CRPF told us that they were here to protect us and that we should not worry. Despite their assurances, when the Meiteis came to our village to burn it down, the central forces did nothing. They didn’t even attempt to stop it. My wife was killed. This deeply disturbs me. If they are the central forces meant to protect civilians, why aren’t they taking any action?” Seikhogin continued.
Fifty-year-old Seikhogin, a farmer who cultivates oranges and bananas, reported that Kuki organisations, including the ITLF (Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum), KKL (Kuki Khanglai Lompi) and KSO (Kuki Students’ Organisation), have gotten an FIR registered on his behalf, seeking justice for his wife.
This occurred on the same day the CRPF camp in Kangpokpi was attacked, though the attack was thwarted.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
Also Read: Arson, stone pelting in Manipur’s Thoubal. Students want central forces, CM to go