Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum Condemns Killing of two Kuki-Zo Tribals in Meitei militants' ambush

Vehemently condemning the unending attacks and killing of unarmed tribals by the Meitei community, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) on Monday urged the Centre government to provide a political solution which does not involve living under the yoke of a Meitei-controlled government.

“Since we don't expect any help and sympathy from the communal state government controlled by the Meiteis, we again urge the central government to accept the situation for what it is an ethnic cleansing campaign against minorities,” ITLF asserted.

In a statement issued today, the ITLF said that Meitei militants on Monday ambushed and shot dead two unarmed Kuki-Zo tribals who were repairing road in Kangpokpi district, underscoring the lack of security for minority tribals in Manipur six months after the outbreak of the ethnic conflict.

Henminlen Vaiphei S/o Luntinlal Vaiphei from Leimakhong and Thangminlun Hangsing S/o Lunkhongam Hangsing from Khunkho village were killed at around 9:30 am between L. Tangnuam village and Kharam Vaiphei village along the Lamka-Kangpokpi road.

The attack occurred in the same area where three Kuki-Zo tribals were killed (also in an ambush) in September, which showed the impunity with which armed radicals from the majority community operates.

A team of volunteers were out for repairing the Lamka-Kangpokpi road, which had suffered considerable damage due to the recent spell of rainfall, the victims had just dropped off their friends at a designated point and were trying to head back to Leimakhong when they were ambushed and waylaid, ITLF said, adding that the attack occurred a mere 50 meters from where they had left their friends.

Since the victims and their friends were all unarmed, they were unable to defend themselves. One of the deceased, Henminlen Vaiphei, is a personnel of 6th IRB, posted at Leimakhong.