Manipur sees no sight of normalcy even after complete six months of unrest with another ambush this morning in Kangpokpi district killing two innocent Kuki-Zo including an Indian Reserve Police personnel.
The second ambush on the Kuki-Zo this morning by the Valley-Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs) occurred between Leilon Vaiphei and Kharam Vaiphei in the same Kangchup area where they carried out the first ambush on September 12 killing three innocent Kuki-Zo.
The Valley-Based Insurgent Group's ambush this morning occurred at around 9:30 a.m. taking the innocent lives of Thangminlun Hangshing, son of Lunkhongam Hangshing of Khunkho village, and a 6th IRB personnel Henminlen Vaiphei, son of Luntinlal Vaiphei of Mission veng Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district.
Following the brutal killing, the Committee on Tribal Unity, Sadar Hills Kangpokpi imposed an emergency shutdown in the whole of Kangpokpi district, shutting down all business establishments and shops, and restricting the movement of vehicles for 48 hours.
The two dead bodies were brought to Motbung PHC where post mortem was conducted before a condolence ceremony was held at Motbung Community Hall as hundreds of Kuki-Zo people across Kangpokpi gathered at Gamgiphai to receive the duo with gun salute from the Kuki-Zo volunteers.
Later, the duo were buried at Martyr's Cemetery at Phaijang village in Kangpokpi district.
Speaking to the media, CoTU's Information and Publicity Secretary, Thangtinlen Haokip said that the attack on the Kuki-Zo this morning by the Meitei militant once again clearly indicated their aggression on the Kuki-Zo dominated territory.
Condemning the ambush and killing of the two innocent Kuki-Zo, Thangtinlen Haokip said that the heinous and barbaric action of the Valley-Based Insurgent Groups is very shameful.
Apprising the central Government for immediate intervention in the brutal killing of the two innocent Kuki-Zo in another ambush, Haokip urged the Central Government to hand the gruesome killing of Thangminlun Hangshing and Henminlen Vaiphei to the Central Bureau of Investigation to ensure justice to the victims.
CoTU also urged the Central Government to instruct the authorities concerned to take up proactive steps to nab those involved in the brutal attack and killing while directing the authorities concerned to ensure no such attack and killing occur in the Kuki-Zo-dominated areas.
Meanwhile, in its emergency meeting following the brutal attack and killing of the duo, CoTU also demanded the Central Government to materialize the demand for separation from Manipur while conveying that the Kuki-Zo people are no longer safe under the partisan Government of Manipur.
It also highlighted that had the Union Home Minister heard the repeated appeal of the Kuki-Zo community, series of unfortunate incidents could have been avoided and urged the Union Home Ministry to take into account the continuous attacks and that political separation is the only option left now.
Following the emergency total shutdown, shops and business establishments in Kangpokpi district were closed and movement of vehicles along the National Highway came to a standstill.
The CoTU's indefinite economic blockade is also underway along the NH-2 and NH-37 since November 16.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
