Latest news with #Kuki-Zo
India.com
4 hours 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)
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Manipur: Indefinite bandh in Churachandpur district following woman's death
Imphal: Normal life in Manipur's Churachandpur district was brought to a standstill after an indefinite shutdown called by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a Kuki-Zo body. The shutdown comes in wake of the death of Hoikholhing, a woman from the Kuki community, who was allegedly killed during a crossfire between security forces and armed militants. Hoikholhing, said to be the wife of the village chief of Langchingmanbi in Churachandpur, succumbed to a bullet injury during an exchange of fire. The incident occurred while security forces were conducting a search operation in response to an earlier shooting incident in which Ningthoujam Biren, a 60-year-old farmer from Phubala Awang Maning Leikai, was shot in the left arm by unidentified armed assailants on Thursday. Also Read: Elderly Kuki woman killed in cross firing between security forces, armed men in Manipur Condemning the incident, six Kuki civil society organisations have expressed solidarity with the ITLF and extended support to the indefinite shutdown. Churachandpur town wore a deserted look on Friday, with roads blocked by the bandh supporters, particularly the Tiddim Road (NH-150 connecting Imphal and Mizoram via Churachandpur). Educational institutions, markets, and both government and private offices remained closed. However, essential services, including pharmacies and medical facilities, were exempted from the shutdown. In a statement issued on Friday, the Kuki Inpi Youth Affairs, a youth wing of a Kuki organisation, alleged that 'Hoikholhing was shot dead in a crossfire between security forces and armed militants inside her village.' Over 250 people have been killed after ethnic clashes broke out between the Meiteis, who live in the valley, and Kukis, who dominate the surrounding hills, in May 2023.
NDTV
9 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
Thousands Mourn As Body Of Air India Crew Member Reaches Home In Manipur
In a night heavy with sorrow, silence, and candlelight, the body of Lamnunthem Singson - fondly known as Neonu - finally returned home to Kangpokpi late Thursday evening. At around 9:20 pm yesterday, her body arrived at a heart-wrenching scene in the town, as thousands of townspeople lined the streets to honour their brave daughter, who lost her life in the tragic Air India crash. Under the aegis of the Kangpokpi Town Committee, a human chain and candlelight vigil stretched for kilometres along both sides of National Highway-2. Young and old, men and women, friends and strangers, all stood shoulder to shoulder, holding flickering candles in a silent tribute that lit up the dark night with love and grief. At her residence, a solemn reception with prayer was offered, and the traditional draping of a shawl over her coffin was done. Among the most heartbreaking sights of the evening was her widowed mother, her closest companion, sitting tearfully beside Neonu's lifeless body - her face etched with unspeakable grief, her hands resting gently on the casket, unwilling to let go. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 am today, followed by her burial at the town cemetery later in the afternoon. Kangpokpi, cloaked in mourning, prepares to bid a final farewell to a beloved daughter whose memory will forever remain etched in the heart of her people. 26-year-old Lamnunthem Singson, a dedicated Air India cabin crew member, was among the victims of the ill-fated Air India crash. According to family sources, Singson was not originally scheduled to fly on the ill-fated flight. She stepped in to cover for a colleague who had taken sick leave - a decision that now stands as a heartbreaking twist of fate and a testament to her professionalism and commitment to her job. Just a night before the tragedy, she had spoken to her mother, Nemneilhing Singson, telling her she wanted to sleep early in preparation for her duty the next day. The two, as was their nightly routine, had prayed together over the phone before sleeping, unaware that it would be their final conversation. Born on November 13, 1998, Lamnunthem was the only daughter of her widowed mother and the third among four siblings. Her late father, Lienminlun Singson, had passed away years ago. Following the ethnic violence that engulfed Manipur in May 2023, the Singson family, belonging to the Kuki-Zo community, fled their ancestral home in Imphal's Old Lambulane area and have since lived in a rented house in Kangpokpi district. Despite facing immense challenges, Lamnunthem emerged as the family's sole breadwinner. Her eldest brother, Ngamlienthang, is battling a serious medical condition and is under treatment in Guwahati, while her youngest sibling, Lenjathang, is still too young to work.
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Security forces arrest seven militants in Manipur
Security forces have arrested seven militants belonging to various proscribed outfits in Manipur, police said on Friday (June 20, 2025). All arrests were made on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) and Thursday (June 19, 2025) from Imphal West, Tengnoupal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts, they said. Two active cadres of the banned Peoples' Liberation Army were apprehended from Wangoi Bazar in Imphal West district, an officer said. On 19.06.2025, Manipur Police arrested 02 (two) active cadres of RPF/PLA from Wangoi Bazar under Wangoi-PS, Imphal West District. They are identified as:- i) Leimapokpam Somendro Singh (47) of Leimapokpam Awang Leikai, Bishnupur District and ii) Tayenjam Haridas (44) of… — Manipur Police (@manipur_police) June 19, 2025 The central forces arrested one each belonging to the proscribed United National Liberation Front (Koireng) and outlawed PREPAK (Pro) from the vicinity of the border pillar 87 along the India-Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district. One active member of the banned KCP (PWG) was held from the Sekmaijing Khunou area in Kakching district, another police officer said, adding that the accused was involved in extortion activities in the valley area. One woman cadre of the outlawed KCP (PSC) was apprehended from Phaknung Thongkhong in Imphal East district on Wednesday. Another active member of the proscribed outfit Prepak was arrested from Kwakta Terakhongshangbi Bazar in Bishnupur district for allegedly being involved in extortion activities. Arms and ammunition were seized from his residence on Wednesday, the officer added. Security forces have been conducting search operations in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out two years ago. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. Also read: How is President's Rule imposed? | Explained The Centre had on February 13 imposed the President's rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. The State Assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
India Today
13 hours ago
- India Today
Kuki woman killed in crossfire, farmer injured, protests erupt in Manipur
A woman from the Kuki community was killed in a crossfire between security forces and suspected Kuki militants in Chingphei village of Churachandpur district on Thursday, shortly after a gun attack left a Meitei farmer injured in neighbouring Phubala village of Bishnupur district. The incident has reignited ethnic tensions in the region and triggered protests from both Meitei and Kuki to official sources, the firing began around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday after armed miscreants allegedly opened fire at Phubala, a low-lying agricultural village situated along the Bishnupur-Churachandpur assailants, reportedly positioned in the adjoining hills, fired multiple rounds at farmers working in the fields. Sixty-year-old Ningthoujam Biren, a Meitei farmer, was hit in the left arm and was rushed to Bishnupur District Hospital. Speaking from his hospital bed, Biren said, 'I was working in the fields when I heard five gunshots. One of them hit me. We couldn't even see who fired.' Following the attack, security forces launched an area domination operation in nearby Chingphei village, which led to an encounter with suspected militants. During the exchange of fire, a woman identified as Hoikholhing Haokip, wife of Khaikhogin Haokip, the village chief of Langchingmanbi in Churachandpur, was struck by a stray bullet. She was rushed to Churachandpur District Hospital but succumbed to her injuries authorities have not released an official statement on the circumstances surrounding her death, they confirmed that the situation remains tense in both districts. Additional state and central forces have been deployed to prevent further violence and maintain response to the Phubala firing, angry villagers imposed a local bandh, demanding stronger protection for farmers in vulnerable border areas. Women from Phubala also issued an ultimatum to the Governor, Chief Secretary, and Director General of Police, demanding identification and action against the perpetrators by 11 a.m. on Friday, June 21. They warned of a statewide shutdown if their demands are not the death of Hoikholhing Haokip has drawn sharp criticism from Kuki civil society organisations. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) condemned the incident, calling it 'yet another targeted assault aimed at the cleansing of the Kuki-Zo minority.'The ITLF announced an indefinite shutdown across Kuki-dominated areas as a protest and period of mourning. They also demanded immediate action against those responsible, Central government intervention to protect tribal lives, and an independent investigation into alleged violations of buffer Kuki Women's Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) echoed these concerns, calling for the immediate arrest of those involved in Hoikholhing's death and a judicial probe into the incident. The group also called for accountability over all recent buffer zone developments come amid ongoing ethnic unrest in Manipur, which has witnessed recurring violence and clashes since May 2023 between Kuki and Meitei communities. Just days earlier, on June 15, another confrontation erupted in Leitanpokpi, Imphal East, over disputed farmland, further highlighting the fragile peace in the both communities mourn their respective losses and express their anger, the threat of more unrest looms large unless effective measures are taken to de-escalate tensions and ensure safety for civilians in vulnerable Watch
