New Delhi: As protests and attacks continued in pockets of Manipur Friday, three people—two from the Kuki-Zo community and one from the Naga community—were killed in two separate firing incidents in Manipur’s Ukhrul district.
Manipur has been on high alert since 7 April, when a blast killed two children in Bishnupur district. Meitei groups continued their protest Friday, demanding a proper investigation into the deaths. They were met with lathi-charge and tear gas shelling.
According to Manipur civil society groups from the Kuki-Zo and Naga communities, the three deaths on 24 April occurred early, while it was still dark. According to the police, a tense atmosphere prevails in the Ukhrul district since the incidents.
“The Army was called in, and now the situation is under control,” a senior police officer told ThePrint. “Who opened fire is under investigation. The situation remains tense.”
Ukhrul district comes under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).
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Mullam: 2 from Kuki-Zo community killed
The Mullam Village Authority, in a statement on the night’s events, said that the village came under “a full-scale armed attack” in the early hours of 24 April, allegedly carried out by ‘Tangkhul militants’. At approximately 1.00 am, a blank shot was heard near the village.
Given the recent unrest in the state, this did not immediately raise an alarm.
However, around 5.30 am, the village saw an unprovoked and premeditated assault—heavy and indiscriminate firing, accompanied by the burning of homes. It left several individuals injured, according to a statement by the village authority.
The Bungpi-Ihang Defence Committee said that two Kuki-Zo village volunteers died “defending Mullam village from the Tangkhul militants’ attack”.
They were identified as Tahchapa Letlal Sitlhou, alias James Kuki, from K. Khonom Village, and Tahchapa Paominlun Haolai, alias Hitlal Kuki, from Haijang Village.
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) said that the armed attack was carried out at roughly 5.30 am on 24 April on the peaceful Kuki villages of Mullam and Shongphal, both in Ukhrul District, by an ‘armed Tangkhul terrorist group’.
The organisation demanded an FIR and a time-bound investigation into the incident.
Claiming it was a “premeditated assault on unarmed civilians asleep in their homes,” KOHUR said the attackers set ablaze two houses, injured several innocent villagers, including women and children, and killed two Kuki village volunteers who were on duty to protect their community. “The villagers, exercising their lawful right to self-defence with licensed hunting arms, bravely repulsed the attack and neutralised one of the armed assailants in the process,” the statement said.
The Naga Village Guards (NVG) Central Command, in a press statement, refuted “any claims made by the Kukis regarding reports of Mullam village being attacked by Tangkhul Naga volunteers”.
It said: “Rather, the Naga Village Guards stationed between Sinakeithei and Sirarakhong, near Mullam, were on a patrol duty this morning, the 24 April, following repeated attacks on Sinakeithei village and reports of constant tactical movement in the peripheries by the Kuki Armed Cadres under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.”
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Sinakeithei: Killing of a Naga guard
According to a press statement by the Office of Central Command of the Naga Village Guards (NVGs), Kuki armed cadres, operating under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact, ambushed the NVGs under Eastern Command near Ukhrul district’s Sinakeithei village in the early hours of Friday, killing Horshokmi Jamang, 29, of Chatric Khullen village, Kamjong.
The statement added that the ambush took place while a section of NVGs stationed at Sirarakhong village was on patrol duty, following repeated attacks on Sinakeithei village and reports of constant tactical movement in the peripheries by Kuki armed cadres, who are under the SoO agreement with the Government of India.
“Horshokmi Jamang, a man of valour and devoted patriotic Naga, laid down his life defending his rightful ancestral land. His sacrifice will not go in vain. The NVG Central Command deeply condoles the passing of our beloved comrade and prays to the Almighty God to give strength and solace to the bereaved family. Horshokmi Jamang is survived by a young wife and a child of 10 months,” the statement said.
The NVG Central Command reiterated its commitment to defending its land and identity without any compromise. “It is also our resolute stand that we will never retreat and surrender to our adversaries until the flag of victory is hoisted on every hilltop of our motherland,” the statement read.
The working committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) said, “Following constant movement and disruption along Sirarakhong and Sinakeithei by armed Kuki cadres under SoO and other Kuki militant groups, the Naga Village Guards posted near Sirarakhong had gone out for patrol between Sirarakhong and Sinakeithei when they were ambushed by the Kuki cadres under SoO along with other illegal Kuki militants, killing Horshokmi Jamang on the spot.”
Tangkhul Naga outfits have claimed Kuki armed cadres were behind the killing.
A spokesperson for KOHUR, however, denied any involvement of community members.
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