Latest news with #CommitteeonTribalUnity
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Life hit in Manipur district as tribal outfit enforces shutdown over woman's death in crossfire
Representative Image IMPHAL: An indefinite shutdown was observed Friday in Manipur's Churachandpur and a 24-hour closure in Kangpokpi over the death of a tribal woman in crossfire the previous day between security forces and unidentified gunmen. Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) called the shutdowns, supported by civil society organisations in both districts. Deceased Hoikholhing Haokip was the wife of a village chief in Churachandpur, Manipur's tribal heartland. Forces launched an operation after a farmer, Ningthoujam Biren Singh, suffered a bullet injury in his arm in alleged shooting by unidentified gunmen while working in his paddy field on Thursday. The gunmen later opened fire on the forces, prompting a retaliation and the crossfire. Haokip was later found dead with a bullet wound. A hunt is on for the gunmen. CoTU described the attacks and death as "another targeted assault in a systematic campaign" and held state govt responsible for allowing such atrocities to unfold under its watch. Manipur has been under President's rule since this Feb. CoTU alleged that Meitei aggressors were being allowed to act unchecked and that failure to protect vulnerable populations had once again led to loss of life. CoTU also demanded immediate action against those responsible for the killing. Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights also condemned the killing of Haokip, calling it a horrific act of violence.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CoTU enforces indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur
1 2 Imphal: An indefinite shutdown has begun in Churachandpur district while the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has called for a 24-hour shutdown in Kangpokpi district from 1pm on Friday, following the killing of Hoikholhing Haokip, wife of the village chief of Langchingmanbi. The shutdown has affected normal lives in both the districts. The decision to impose the shutdown was endorsed by CoTU, supported by civil society organisations (CSOs) of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. According to a media note issued by police, an operation was launched after Ningthoujam Biren Singh, a farmer from Phubala Awang Maning Leikai, suffered a bullet injury in his left arm allegedly fired upon by unidentified armed miscreants while working in his paddy field on Thursday. During the operation, armed miscreants opened fire on the security forces who retaliated. Amid the crossfire, Kuki woman Haokip was found dead with a bullet injury. Security personnel identified her as the wife of the village chief of Langchingmanbi. Authorities transported her body to the district hospital in Churachandpur for legal formalities. Police said cases have been registered and investigations are underway while combined security forces are continuing search operations to track down those involved. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Meanwhile, CoTU has also termed the incident as 'another targeted assault in what has now become a systematic campaign' and blamed the state govt as directly responsible for allowing such atrocities to unfold under its watch. CoTU alleged that Meitei aggressors were being allowed to act unchecked and that failure to protect vulnerable populations had once again led to loss of life. CoTU put forward three demands — immediate action against those responsible for the killing, concrete steps from the central govt to safeguard tribal lives and territories and an independent investigation into repeated violations of buffer zone arrangements. Calling upon all communities, institutions, organisations and individuals, CoTU has urged strict observance of the shutdown. The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights has also strongly condemned the killing of Haokip, calling it a horrific act of violence. Meanwhile, the inspector general of police and other top officials conducted an inspection at the site of the recent Phubala firing incident, where suspected Kuki armed miscreants allegedly opened fire on farmers ploughing in the low canal areas, injuring a farmer. In response to the incident, the Apunba Meira Paibi of Phubala, along with various civil society organisations, held a joint meeting. Although no official statement has been released about the meeting, no reports of a shutdown have emerged so far — despite an earlier announcement by a Meira Paibi leader calling for a shutdown. The leader had demanded that the chief secretary, security advisor, and the governor of Manipur visit the affected site and ensure justice for the farmers.
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Manipur: Normal life affected in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur after Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum enforces shutdown, roads blocked and...
Manipur: Normal life affected in Kuki-dominated Churachandpur after Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum enforces shutdown, roads blocked and... Life came to a stop in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Friday after a tribal group called for an indefinite shutdown. The protest was held after an elderly Kuki woman was killed during a gunfight. Shops and markets stayed closed, and there were very few vehicles on the roads. Members of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), including many women, were seen blocking roads with sticks in their hands, demanding justice for the woman. The woman, named Hoikholhing Haokip, died in a crossfire between security forces and some unknown armed men on Thursday evening. The incident took place in the Langchingmanbi and Heichanglok areas, where the security forces had gone for a search operation. The armed men fired at the security team, and a gun battle followed. Sadly, Haokip was caught in the firing and lost her life. Due to the shutdown, government offices had low attendance, and schools and colleges were shut. The ITLF blamed the central government for not doing enough to protect tribal people and their land. They demanded a proper and fair investigation into repeated violations of buffer zones areas meant to separate communities during this ongoing conflict. At the same time, a 24-hour shutdown also began in Kangpokpi district from 1 PM on Friday. The protest was supported by the Committee on Tribal Unity and other local groups from Churachandpur. Since May 2023, over 260 people have died, and thousands have become homeless due to ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. On February 13, the central government imposed President's rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stepped down. The state assembly has been placed under suspended animation, even though its term was supposed to last until 2027. (With PTI inputs)
