Latest news with #Kuki-dominated
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)
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
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kuki, Meitei villagers clash over ploughing of agricultural land
1 2 Guwahati: Kuki and Meitei villagers clashed along the boundary between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts on Sunday, following altercations between villagers from the two communities over ploughing of agricultural lands at a village in the foothills. The groups targeted each other by throwing stones and using slingshots. According to sources, three to five people suffered injuries. While ownership of the land is not yet clear, villagers from both sides clashed against each other, using bamboo and wooden sticks. However, before things could spiral out of control, police and central security forces diffused the situation. According to a Manipur Police statement, a Meitei farmer from Leitanpokpi had gone to plough a paddy field, with his tractor, at Sadu Lampak village, which is near a Kuki-dominated area. "Some nearby Kuki villagers came and objected, saying the paddy field did not belong to him. Some Meitei villagers too reached the site," read the statement. With Leitanpokpi having witnessed violent incidents between the Kukis and Meiteis since the ethnic clashes broke out in May 2023, videos of the altercation went viral, sending alarm bells among the security personnel. "Some videos are circulating, saying Kukis have come down to stop Meitei farmers," Manipur Police cautioned in its X handle, urging the public not to believe in rumours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "It is to inform that security forces, led by Addl SP IE and other central forces, have already reached the spot and have controlled the situation. Additional forces led by SP and others are also responding to the situation," Manipur Police wrote on X. According to some of the Meitei farmers, crop lands at Sadu Lampak were not cultivated in the aftermath of the ethnic clashes. However, this time, as the paddy sowing season is approaching and the number of incidents have come down after imposition of the President's rule, the Meitei farmers went to plough the land, despite it being in a vulnerable location. The Meitei farmers who went to plough the land said they had reportedly taken permission from the authorities to cultivate the land. In the last two years, several farmers have been killed while working in a paddy field. Meanwhile, the Meitei Heritage Welfare Foundation alleged that the Kuki villagers obstructed Meitei farmers from cultivating their land, even in the presence of security forces.
Scroll.in
6 days ago
- Scroll.in
Air India crash: Divided Manipur unites in grief at death of two crew members – one Kuki, one Meitei
Manipur has come together to mourn the deaths of two of citizens – one Kuki and one Meitei – who were among the ten cabin crew members onboard the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The crash killed all but one of the 241 of the people aboard. The exact number of people killed on the ground has yet to be determined by on Friday the police said they had sent 265 bodies for postmortems. Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, 21, was from Thoubal district. Lamnunthem Singson, 28, had been displaced from Manipur's capital Imphal by the ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023 and was living in the Kuki-dominated hill district of Kangpokpi. The conflict between Manipur's two major communities, the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo, has left 260 people dead and displaced more than 70,000 people from their homes. Manipur's civil society groups across the chasm have expressed their sorrow at the deaths. 'They worked side by side in the skies, representing unity in diversity – a symbol of hope and harmony amidst today's troubled times,' said the North East Society at Ambedkar University Delhi in a statement. On Saturday, The Sangai Express, the most widely circulated English daily in the state, published an editorial on June 14 titled 'Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem: Joining Hands in Grief.' 'A sort of a cruel hand of nature it is that in the death of a young Meitei girl and a young Kuki girl, people of Manipur came together to pour out their sadness and grief,' it said. '…In death the two young girls managed to do what the political wizards, the word jugglers, the social leaders have failed to do for over 730 days - bring the Kukis and the Meiteis on the same page.' Heartfelt Condolences 🙏🏻 💔 Life is truly unpredictable, and this tragedy reminds us of how fleeting and uncertain time can be. We mourn the untimely loss of NGANTHOI SHARMA KONGBRAILATPAM, an airhostess from MANIPUR, who was among those on the ill-fated AIR INDIA FLIGHT that… — Diana// ꯗꯤꯑꯅꯥ (@diana_warep) June 12, 2025 The deaths have left the women's relatives devastated. Nganthoi's father was at home when he first heard about the plane crash. 'The internet was suspended in Manipur because of the conflict,' Nandesh Kumar Sharma, told Scroll. 'Some friends who works in the CID [police unit] told me that my daughter's photo and name were on the list of the cabin crew members. He asked if it was true. Since then, all we've heard is news of loss and tragedy.' A couple of hours before the take-off, Nganthoi had informed her family that she would be on the flight to London. Sharma made several calls to his daughter. 'Her phone rang until midnight... but there was no response,' he said. 'Eventually, it switched off.' Later, the family heard that only one person on the plane had survived the crash. 'We were just waiting,' Sharma said. 'Out of my three daughters, one is gone,' Sharma said. 'We're now waiting for her last rites. Her mother and younger sister have stopped eating and drinking. My elder daughter and some relatives have gone to Gujarat for DNA testing and to bring back her mortal remains.' Since the bodies of those who perished in the crash are badly charred, DNA has to be collected from relatives to help establish identities. The family's last communication with Nganthoi was a message at around 11 am on Thursday, saying she would be flying to London. For the past two years, Nganthoi had been supporting her family financially. Her father works as a cook, while her elder sister is a teacher at a private school. 'She contributed 50% towards building our new home and helped fund her younger sister's education,' her cousin Twinkle told Scroll. 'She also paid for her parents' medical bills.' She last visited her family on March 17, when her father was in hospital. 'It was a surprise visit – she loved giving surprises.' Twinkle said. 'She stayed for three-four days and then returned to Mumbai, where she lived.' Nganthoi had joined Air India in April 2023 when she was 19 years. 'There was a recruitment drive in Manipur for cabin crew,' Twinkle said. 'Some of her friends invited her to come along, and she was selected for training and later became part of the cabin crew.' Like many others, her family has also suffered due to the ethnic conflict. 'Manipur is bearing deep losses,' said Nandesh Kumar Sharma. 'We live under constant fear and violence. It's dangerous to even step outside, as the situation can turn violent at any moment.' Although the Sharma family have not spoken directly to the Kuki family that also lost their daughter in the crash, Nandesh Kumar Sharma said he knows both families are united in grief and prayer. 'We [the Kuki and Meitei communities] don't talk at home, but my daughter and [Lamnunthem Singson] worked together like friends in other states,' Nandesh Kumar Sharma said. 'I pray that the souls of both girls are at peace. I saw on the news that the Kuki family is also praying, just like us.' My beloved cousin sister Lamnunthem Singson, a cabin crew member lost in the Ahmedabad crash, was a devoted @ManUtd fan. Her last whats app status: 'POV: Playing 'A Change is Gonna Come.'' She believed in comebacks for next season- but fate had other plans. RIP Lil Sis #AI171 — Hen Kuki (@HennaryL) June 12, 2025 Meanwhile, members of Singson's have also arrived in Ahmedabad for DNA testing. Singson hailed from Old Lambulane in Imphal but had been living as an internally displaced person in Kangpokpi as a result of the conflict. She had joined Air India in 2024. 'Her untimely death is a great loss to her family and the Thadou community,' Thadou Students' Association said in a statement on Friday as it mourned the deaths of two girls. 'May their souls rest in peace.' The Thadous are a Kuki community that speak the Thadou language. A cousin of Singson, T Thanlingo Haokip, told the BBC that she was the only breadwinner in the family. 'Her brother has cancer, and her father has passed away,' he said. 'The family was completely dependent on her. Her death is an immense loss.' Martin Thokchom, the owner of a bookstore in Imphal, reflected the state's sorrow in a poem posted on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Martin Thokchom (@martin_thokchom)
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Extortion surges in Manipur amid lull in ethnic clashes, over 110 arrests in May
Extortion cases in Manipur's capital, Imphal, have significantly increased amid a relative calm in the ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities. With the temporary halt in overt clashes, various armed groups, including banned underground outfits and youth organisations, have turned their focus toward illegal fundraising, targeting traders, small business owners, government employees, and even schools. Over two years have passed since the ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023. Despite the imposition of President's Rule on February 13, 2024, there appears to be no comprehensive political or security solution in sight. The rise in extortion-related crimes, according to reports, indicate a deepening law and order crisis in the state. The increase in extortion-related cases follows on from last year's alarming rise in incidents involving bomb threats, gunfire in residential neighbourhoods, and actual explosions many of which were never reported to the police. In several cases, local women-led groups attempted to defuse the situation through peaceful protests, staging sit-ins and appealing to those responsible not to disrupt daily life with violence. However, it remains unclear whether these efforts led to resolutions or if residents complied with the demands by paying off the extortionists. Police officers, on the condition of anonymity, confirm that the majority of the extortion cases involve cadres from proscribed underground groups. The operations of these outfits extend beyond Meitei-majority areas, affecting Kuki-dominated regions as well, particularly in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts. The fear of reprisal has forced several affluent and prominent individuals to seek refuge outside the state. A retired senior administrative officer from Churachandpur, now living in New Delhi, shared his experience with HT under the condition of anonymity. 'Though I served the Manipur government for decades, I had to leave my hometown. I could no longer bear the constant ransom demands from different armed groups. It became impossible to live a normal life.' In 2024 alone, approximately 50 cases were registered in Imphal East and West districts related to gunfire and threats involving the planting of explosives in residential and commercial areas. In response, the Manipur Police established an Anti-Extortion Cell in October 2024 to focus on tackling the issue. According to Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) K. Kabib's earlier statement, more than 121 extortionists and over 215 members of underground outfits and gangs were arrested between May 3, 2023, and October 2024. The Anti-Extortion Cell is led by the Additional Director General (Law and Order) and includes all Zonal Inspector Generals as members. Currently, 15 'crack teams' operate across the state to identify and neutralise extortion threats. These teams work around the clock to restore security and instill confidence among residents and business owners. Despite these efforts, fear persists. Many victims avoid reporting extortion to law enforcement agencies, fearing retaliation. This hesitancy remains despite the police providing a dedicated 24/7 helpline and a toll-free number (1800-202-3326) for anonymous reporting. A resident of Palace Compound, Imphal, expressed his frustration to HT. 'We, the common people, are struggling. Maybe salaried government or private sector employees are somewhat secure, but for the rest of us, business is down across the board. On top of that, there are extortion demands. I'm scared, but I'm speaking out because we can't survive like this anymore.' She added, 'Many of us started businesses with loans, thinking that five years of hard work would lead to stability. But now, instead of progress, we're fighting just to keep the doors open. If we had to give money to one group that actually protected us, maybe we could live with it. But we're getting threats from multiple groups. It's unsustainable.' She questioned the authorities, 'What is being done to stop this? Are you waiting for us to shut our businesses and leave Manipur entirely?' Even educational institutions have not been spared. A government school headmaster said: 'In the name of protecting us from Kuki-Zo attacks, some outlaw organisations are demanding monthly payments from faculty members. This has become a routine burden.' Security forces have retaliated as well. In a violent incident on December 14, for example, Manipur police commandos shot dead a 16-year-old and arrested six others in Salungpham Maning Leikai, Thoubal district. Police stated that the deceased and the arrested individuals were members of the proscribed People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and were allegedly involved in extortion activities. Manipur police statements have detailed that several other banned outfits, including Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL), and various factions of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), such as KCP-People's War Group, KCP-Apunba City Meitei, KCP-Taibangnganba, KCP-Nongdrenkhomba, and KCP-Meitei Fingang Lanmi, are actively involved in extortion. The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) - Pambei faction, Revolutionary People's Front/People's Liberation Army (RPF/PLA), and the Socialist Revolution Party of Kangleipak (SOREPA) have also been named. In April, four individuals were rescued from the custody of a women's group, Armour of Manipur (AMO), and three of its members were arrested. The group allegedly demanded ₹5 lakh from the victims in connection with an elopement-related matter. As per Manipur Police reports, around 78 people were arrested for extortion in February 2025, and over 94 in April. In the month of May, until May 17, the number of arrests had already crossed 110. The number of arrests in connection with extortion has been reported frequently almost every day in statement issued from Manipur Police Control room. Following the imposition of President's Rule, security forces dismantled several bunkers along National Highway-2 in Gamgiphai, Kangpokpi district. These bunkers, manned by suspected Kuki-Zo 'village volunteers,' were allegedly used as extortion checkpoints targeting transporters and commuters. Phurailatpam Janaki, a 56-year-old resident of Imphal West, said: 'Since the 2023 conflict began, many youths have gotten involved in extortion under the guise of raising donations. Now, with fighting subsiding under President's Rule, we are seeing an increase in kidnappings for ransom, extortion from outlawed groups, and even youth and student bodies. It has become an easy way to earn money, taking advantage of the ongoing crisis.' As extortion tightens its grip on Manipur, ordinary citizens continue to bear the brunt of lawlessness. While some seek protection, others seek escape. Given this grim backdrop, the need for a durable political and security solution remains more pressing than ever.
