New Delhi: Days after a meeting of the Arambai Tenggol militia group with 37 MLAs and two MPs from Manipur, at least two people from the Kuki community were killed on Saturday (January 27) and several houses and churches in the Khamenlok area were burnt down, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) has said.
The ITLF, which is an influential tribal body based in the state, alleges that the two men were safeguarding their village and were reportedly fired upon by the Assam Rifles (AR), a paramilitary force controlled by the Union government.
The Assam Rifles is yet to comment on this.
Khamenlok is a sensitive area and has two access points – one in Imphal and the other in Saikul.
Months ago, when The Wire attempted to visit the area, both Union and state forces warned this reporter not to visit, citing potential risks.
Khamenlok has many churches and several videos purportedly show the burning of churches there and another group celebrating this.
Some members of the Kuki community allege that the Arambai Tenggol, which is a Meitei group, has burnt all villages in the Khamenlok area.
Sources in Saikul told The Wire, “This morning at around 5:30 am, another Arambai Tenggol group attacked the Senam Kom area of Saikul, leading to [an exchange of fire] with village volunteers for half an hour.”
The gunfight continued until 7:30 am and the situation worsened in the Imphal East district, they added.
Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah regarding the alleged assault on Manipur’s Congress president, Keisham Meghachandra, by members of the Arambai Tenggol.
In his four-point letter to Shah, Kharge wrote, “This shocking incident has occurred despite the heavy presence of Central and Security forces, and intelligence personnel. Till date, there has been no action from the Manipur CM and the Home Ministry on this disturbing subversion of democratic processes by a non-state actor.
“It is shameful that the Prime Minister’s eloquent silence when it comes to Manipur seems to be the prevailing strategy from all important stakeholders in both the State and the Centre.”
Moreh continues to boil
The border town of Moreh continues to boil nearly a month after security personnel there were ambushed by suspected militants.
A large number of Kuki-Zo people in the border town staged a sit-in protest on Saturday (January 27) demanding the restoration of peace in the region. They are also demanding the removal of state forces from Moreh and the reopening of schools in the area.
This protest was jointly organised by the Kuki Students’ Organisation, Moreh Block and the Kuki Women’s Union for Human Rights, Moreh. It was also joined by the Moreh Private Schools Association; the Kuki Inpi, Tengnoupal; and the Hill Tribal Council, Moreh.
A still of the protest in Moreh. Photo: Special arrangement.
These organisations submitted a memorandum to Tengnoupal district’s DC, SP and Assam Rifles CO to bring peace back to Moreh.
In the letter, the group also mentioned five individuals who were injured during violence in the town and whose conditions are serious. It added that they are being treated at a hospital in Churachandpur.
The protest condemned an alleged attempt by armed militants to burn down three high schools in the town, as well as alleged delay tactics by the government in removing Manipur police commandos from Tengnoupal district.
The sit-in protest was held at the Moreh Bazar.
In the eight months since the ethnic violence began in the state, more than 300 churches have reportedly been burnt down, over 200 people have been killed and many FIRs have been filed. The government is yet to take action on most of the filed FIRs.
