Manipur turns violent again; four killed
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Imphal: Manipur has witnessed fresh violence, with four people killed in attacks reported in Tamenglong and Noney districts.
The victims belonged to the Kuki community. A child was injured and a woman was reported missing in the attacks allegedly carried out by armed men. The Kukis accused members of the Naga community of being behind the attacks.
The Kukis said the first attack took place at around 4am in Tollen village in Tamenglong district. One woman was killed on the spot, while her husband, who sustained serious injuries, died while undergoing treatment at a hospital, Tribal Leaders Forum spokesperson Ginza Vualzong said. Their six-year-old son was also injured in the firing.
In another attack reported at around 3pm in Longpi village in Noney district, two people were killed on the spot.
Kuki representatives from Tollen and Longpi villages alleged that some armed members of the Naga community were behind the attacks. The Tollen village authorities urged the Centre and the National Human Rights Commission to intervene immediately, saying the recent attacks should be treated as acts of terrorism targeting civilians.
Kuki MLAs Letzamang Haokip and Kimneo Hangshing condemned the attacks. Hangshing said attacks targeting women and children could not be tolerated under any circumstances and that action would be taken against such cowardly acts.
Violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities began in Manipur on May 3, 2023. The immediate trigger was a Manipur High Court order on granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community, which constitutes the state's demographic majority.
The Kuki community, which already had reservation benefits as a tribal group, feared that extending Scheduled Tribe status to the Meiteis would reduce their share of reservations. Protests were held on May 3 against the court order, including a large rally in Churachandpur, a Kuki stronghold.
The situation subsequently escalated into widespread violence, with Manipur witnessing several days of intense clashes.