Manipur Violence: Seven Residential Houses, Two Churches, Three Schools Reportedly Torched in Moreh; CSOs Refutes Claims of Kuki Militants Involvement

As many as seven residential houses, two churches, and three schools were reportedly torched in border town Moreh following the gunfight that broke out this early morning.

In Canan veng Moreh, the residences of Lunjapao Vaiphei, Lunkhomang Haokip, and Holjang Baite were burnt while Mount Moreh Public School and Kuki Christian Church were also torched.

At Phaicham Veng Moreh, the residence of Jangmang Haokip, Kholkhongah Haokip, L. Boi-a Hmar, and Aubrey from Kerala was reportedly torched including a Tamil Church, Dr. Calvin Academy, and Bethsaida High School.

Vehemently lamenting the malignant turn of events in Moreh, the Kuki top body, the Kuki Inpi Manipur allege that the Meitei state security forces, in collaboration with Valley-Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs) are indiscriminately attacking and targeting Kuki-Zo civilians in the border town of Moreh.

It also alleged that this has tragically resulted in the wanton destruction and arson in Canaan Veng, Moreh, Ward No. 7, and Phaicham Veng, Moreh, Ward No. 3, including Churches and Schools, all integral parts of Moreh’s educational landscape.

Strongly condemning the alleged armed aggression of the state security forces and the VBIGs against the defenseless Kuki-Zo people in Moreh, the Kuki top body also conveyed its dismay at the injudicious response of Col. Rahul Jain, CO 5th AR, and his subordinate Maj. Aman who allegedly authorized the use of 2-inch mortar bombs against the Kuki-Zo people, including a vehicular assault on Kuki-Zo women with a Casspir MPV resulting in serious injuries.

It also stated that the armed aggression in Moreh is resulting in extensive devastation for the Kuki-Zo people.

KIM further stated that the persistent threat to their lives, the destruction of their homes, and the mental and emotional trauma caused by the relentless armed aggression starkly violate their fundamental rights while adding that the right to life, security, and a dignified existence is being mercilessly stripped away, leaving the Kuki-Zo community in a profound state of vulnerability and injustice.

In the wake of the alleged gross injustices against the Kuki-Zo people, the Kuki top body asserted the following demands to bring justice to the Kuki-Zo community in Moreh town.

Firstly, the immediate and complete withdrawal of Meitei state security forces and the VBIGs from Moreh, as promised by the Home Minister, Amit Shah during his visit to Moreh.

Secondly, the replacement of Col. Rahul Jain, CO 5th A.R for effective law and order situation.

Thirdly, the Kuki top body demanded a written assurance from competent authorities ensuring the safety and security of the Kuki-Zo people in Moreh.

Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo top tribal body in Kangpokpi, the Committee on Tribal Unity, or the CoTU, Sadar Hills strongly refuted the allegation of social activist, Maheshwor Thounaojam as baseless and misleading.

CoTU's Spokesperson, Kaiminlen Sitlhou said that the allegation of one attention-seeking Maheshwor Thounaojam over Moreh incident where an armed miscreant donning state police uniforms and disguised as an IRB was shot dead by the Kuki-Zo village volunteers as Kuki-Zo militant is highly refuted.

He recalled that on record, the Committee on Tribal Unity and other Kuki-Zo civil bodies have been demanding the immediate removal of state forces from Moreh since the beginning of the conflict but the voice of the minorities remained unheard.

He also said that it is also pertinent to mention that the Kuki-Zo UGs who are under the Suspension of Operation are kept and held in their designated camps.

He also reminded the Meitei social activist, Maheshwor Thounaojam that the nature of violence, crimes and atrocities carried out by the Meitei radicalized groups, such as, Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun, and the Meitei wild mobs since May 3 upon the Kuki-Zo people is much worse than the Pakistan's terrorists.

He advised the Meitei social activist Maheshwor Thounaojam to control his communally oiled venom speech so as to avoid further devastation in the already strife-torn state.

The Committee also urged any individuals or organizations to refrained from false allegations to tarnished the image of the Kuki-Zo communities who are protecting their villages from unabated aggression of the Meitei militants supported by the biased and oppressive administration under the incumbent Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh.

The Committee's Spokesperson, Kaiminlen Sitlhou further said that it is the moral obligation of the State of Manipur to remove the armed militants who are guised as Manipur police Commandos and IRBs from Moreh, home town of the Kuki-Zo for peace and instead recover those looted arms from the valley to ensure law and order and to avoid balkanization of the North Eastern states.

"The delusional and morose political discourse to annihilate any community in these democratic set up reflects Jihadi movement within Indian states by the Meiteis which is also highly unconstitutional and a disservice to the ideals of our forefounding fathers", he added.

The Kuki Women Organization for Human Rights, or the KWOHR also strongly refuted the allegation of Maheshwor Thounaojam and the torching of houses including Churches and Schools in Moreh.

Ngaineikim Haokip, President of KWOHR said that the allegation of Meitei Social Activist Maheshwor Thounaojam of the Kuki militants escalating the violence in the border town is false and baseless.

She said that it was the village volunteers who are guarding the Kuki-Zo villages and in defense of the people and the villages, the village-based insurgent groups were killed.

"It was not the Kuki militants but the village volunteers who, in defense of the people and the villages from the atrocities of the valley-based insurgent groups disguised in police commando uniforms, involve in the violence", she added.

She also strongly condemned the alleged action of the security forces in burning houses and injuring four women with live bullets.

She maintained that as we have been unceasingly urging the centre government, we reiterate our appeal once again to withdraw or remove the state forces, especially, the state Meitei police commando from the border town Moreh.

"There will be no peace and normalcy unless the state forces, especially the state police commandos are withdrawn or removed from border town Moreh", she asserted.

"In the presence of state police commandos, there will be no room for peace in Moreh," she added.