The Committee on Tribals Unity Sadar Hills relooked its decision in opening the month-long National Highway 2 closure and reimposed a blanket closure along the highway with effect from Friday night.
The COTU’s decision to relook at its earlier decision came against the backdrop of the alleged tragic violence that occurred this early morning at Khoken village where three persons including an elderly woman are shot dead and two other civilians were injured.
The lifeline of Manipur, the National Highway-2 had been naturally closed without any official declaration of a bandh or blockade by any organizations ever since the wide-scale violence erupted in the state on May 3.
However, after a month-long closure, the Committee on Tribals Unity Sadar Hills took the initiative and decided to open the highway considering the sincere appeal from the Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Kangpokpi district on May 31.
Consequently, the Highway was open for seven days between 10:00 am till 2:00 pm every day with the condition that if any violence occurred during the suspension of highway closure, the committee will be compelled to relook its decision.
Unfortunately, tragic violence was reported this early morning at Khoken village in the New Keithelmanbi area under Kangchup Geljang Sub Division in Kangpokpi where the alleged Meitei terrorists attacked the village with sophisticated weapons at around 3:30 am.
During the attack, three innocent villagers of Khoken including an elderly woman were shot dead while two others sustained bullet injuries.
The deceased persons are identified as Domkhohoi Haokip (70), wife of Seijang Haokip; Kaimang Guite (55), son of Ngampao Guite, and Jangpao Touthang (40), son ofJangam Touthang.
The injured persons are identified as Thongneh Haokip (45), son of Dousei Haokip, and Seiminthang Haokip (20), son of Mangsei Haokip.
Vehemently condemning the violent incident at Khoken village, the COTU termed it an “extremely tragic” incident.
COTU Spokesperson, Rev. K. Sitlhou said that barely a day or two the village was attacked after a combing operation in New Keithelmanbi areas by suspected Meitei terrorists this early morning.
He continued that during the attack, three persons including an aged woman were killed at the spot while two persons sustained bullet injuries wherein one among the bullet injuries is said to be in critical condition.
COTU Spokesperson said that despite the enormous effort on the part of the Government of India to cease violence in the state, Manipur is still witnessing an escalation of violence as suspected Meitei terrorists continue to indulge in killing, arson, and various other violence.
He pointed out that among the three killed during the attack at Khoken, the elderly woman was praying inside the Church praying for peace and harmony in the state and also for the safety of the villagers and village.
While drawing a suspicious line over the combing operations, Sitlhou said that when the village volunteers retreated themselves from guarding the people of the village owing to the combing operations, tragic incidents occurred and precious lives were lost and injured.
He then drew the immediate attention of the Central Government for urgent action toward the upbringing of non-violence, ceasing of firing, and torching of villages.
He also appealed to the Central Government not only to bring non-violence by law or by command but let the non-violence be put into practicality immediately as the Central Government is fully in authority.
Considering the alleged “extremely tragic” violent incident, the COTU relooked at its decision of suspending highway closure in its emergency meeting this late afternoon and decided to close back the highway completely with effect from tonight.
The COTU also draws the immediate attention of the Union Home Minister through a representation submitted to DC Kangpokpi over the alleged extremely tragic violence incident at Khoken village this morning.
The representation signed by COTU President Thanglen Kipgen and Secretary Lamminlun Singsit fervently appealed to the Union Home Minister for immediate action against the alleged Meitei terrorists for allegedly creating constant violence, killings, and torching of Kuki villages.
It stated that while appreciating the peace mission that has come from your end, it is very unfortunate to learn that violence, killing, and torching of villages still continues and rather it escalates more, even after your visit.
It continued that it is very much regretted to mention that it was this morning around 3:30 am that a violent attack occurred at Khoken Village that falls under Kangpokpi District by Meitei Terrorist (Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun) that led to a brutal death of 3 innocent villagers, and injuring of other two.
It also stated that prior to the attack a Combing Operation was conducted in and around Khoken and Saheibung by a team that included Army personnel, state forces, and the valley-based media personnel.
It is pertinent to mention that the Kuki community wholeheartedly supported the combing operation with the hope that peace would prevail in the area. Nevertheless, this hope has tarnished and turned into a big tragedy, it stated.
While highlighting the details of the deceased and injured persons, the COTU in its representation to the Union Home Minister prayed that immediate prompt action be taken against the Meitei Terrorists.
