Manipur Tense Again Over Fresh Ethnic Clashes; Five Killed Within 24 Hours
Manipur, which witnessed deadly ethnic violence claiming more than 200 lives in 2023, is once again witnessing rising tensions following fresh incidents of violence. According to police, five people have died in the state within a span of 24 hours. Separate incidents involving members of the Kuki and Naga communities have triggered fresh tensions and protests across several areas.
On Saturday, three members of the Kuki community were killed in a gunfight involving unidentified assailants in Tajeikaiphun village in Manipur’s Noney district. Meanwhile, the decomposed bodies of two Kuki youths who had gone missing earlier last week were recovered from Kangpokpi district on Sunday morning. In both incidents, allegations have been directed towards members of the Naga community.
The conflict between the Kuki and Naga communities over indigenous land rights has been continuing for a long time. Meanwhile, a ceasefire agreement was signed between the Central Government and Kuki armed groups, following which the Kuki militants were required to lay down their arms. However, the Kuki community has recently alleged an increase in attacks and harassment by Naga groups.
Amid the growing tensions, hundreds of people took to the streets of Imphal, demanding the withdrawal of the ceasefire agreement. Following the deaths of three people in the Kuki-Naga clash in Noney district on Saturday, thousands of Kukis once again staged protests.
The protesters alleged that the Central Government was effectively conducting a proxy war with the Naga community by using the Kukis as a front. They demanded the withdrawal of what they described as a ceasefire agreement existing merely on paper.
Meanwhile, the village of Tajeikaiphun, where Saturday’s attack took place, is predominantly inhabited by the Naga community. The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) organisation strongly condemned the incident, alleging that Naga groups had been repeatedly attacking Kuki people without provocation. The organisation also accused the Central Government of failing to provide adequate security to Kuki-Zo villagers.
In another disturbing development, 21-year-old T. Chongloi and 20-year-old Paoginglal Hangsing went missing from Taphou Kuki village on October 29. During the search operation, the decomposed bodies of the two youths, packed in sacks, were recovered from a banana plantation in a village near the border of Kangpokpi and Senapati districts on Sunday morning.
The recovery of the bodies has further intensified tensions in the region. Kuki protesters alleged that Naga militants had abducted and murdered the two youths. Protests subsequently broke out in front of the Superintendent of Police’s residence. Police resorted to baton charges and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Meanwhile, Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen described the incident as unfortunate and called for a thorough investigation. She also demanded strict punishment for those responsible for the killings.
On the other hand, Kuki protesters have demanded the resignation of Manipur’s other Deputy Chief Minister, Losii Dikho, who belongs to the Naga community.
With memories of the devastating ethnic violence of 2023 still fresh, the latest incidents have once again raised serious concerns over the security situation and prospects for peace in Manipur. All eyes are now on the steps that the Central and State Governments will take to prevent the situation from escalating into another major outbreak of ethnic violence.
