Fresh Attack on Kuki-Zo Escalates Tensions in Jiribam, Counter Economic Blockade Reimposed

Several top Kuki bodies from Jiribam, Tamenglong, and Noney have alleged that armed Meitei militants, in collaboration with the Manipur Police Commandos, launched indiscriminate firing on the villagers and village volunteers of Phaitol village in Tamenglong, near the Jiribam border, on Wednesday evening, exacerbating the already volatile situation in the region.

They also alleged that Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's hidden agenda of smuggling Meitei militants and their supplies under the pretext of visiting Jiribam was exposed last night when the combined forces of Manipur Police Commandos and the Meitei militants indiscriminately attacked and fired upon the villagers and village volunteers of Phaitol.

According to Kuki bodies, the Manipur Police Commandos, along with Meitei militants, used heavy mortars and several other explosives in attacking the Kuki-Zo residential areas around 10:30 p.m. yesterday. However, the central security forces present in the region swiftly intervened and stopped them from further attacking and firing.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi of Jiribam, Tamenglong, and Noney, the Kuki Chief Association of Tousem Block, the Kuki Inpi Women Wing of Jiribam, Tamenglong, and Noney, and the Kuki Students' Organisation of Jiribam and Tamenglong have announced their decision to reimpose the counter economic blockade along National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam) following unsuccessful talks with the district administration.

The Kuki bodies stated that the counter-economic blockade imposed on NH-37 as a retaliatory move was suspended for two days following an agreement with the district authorities of both Tamenglong and Jiribam. However, despite the two-day lapse, their charter of demands has not been fully met.

Therefore, the Kuki bodies of Jiribam and Tamenglong have unanimously decided to reimpose the counter-economic blockade on NH-37 indefinitely until all their demands are fulfilled immediately.

The Kuki bodies' charter of demands includes:

1. The immediate lifting of the blockade of highways by Meetei mobs led by Arambai Tenggol and Meira Paibis in Jiribam town, along with ensuring free access to medical and essential commodities for every community.

2. Taking full responsibility by the authorities concerned in finding L. Thianmuang (40), son of the Late Luai am from Vengnuam Dibong Khunou, Jiribam, who was abducted from his home in the presence of his children on June 6, or locating his dead body if he has been killed.

3. Booking and removal of Meetei militants and Arambai Tenggol from Jiribam and its surrounding areas.

Following the re-imposition of the counter-economic blockade, Kuki women began enforcing the blockade at several locations along National Highway 37 in the region starting from Thursday.

The women from the Kuki community were witnessed in a standoff with security forces at Tatbung, as they enforced the recently reimposed counter-economic blockade along National Highway 37.