IMPHAL: Tension has flared again in Manipur’s Torbung area since Tuesday evening after reports of indiscriminate firing and a bombing incident that occurred near new resettlement zones. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and the Kuki-Zo Council have since traded sharp accusations over the violence.
COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba said a team from the organisation had visited Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai earlier in the day to assess the ongoing resettlement process. However, at around 8.30 pm, the area reportedly came under heavy firing from the Churachandpur side, allegedly by “armed Kuki groups opposed to peace,” followed by a bombing in residential areas where displaced villagers were rebuilding homes, he further alleged.
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Athouba described the incident as “very unfortunate,” noting that armed groups continued to operate from hill areas near Bishnupur district, despite the presence of heavy security forces.
“Such attacks undermine both the resettlement process and efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the state,” he said.
He questioned the Governor’s administration, asking whether it “stands for peace or anti-peace,” and demanded “stringent legal and security action” against those responsible.
According to Athouba, the firing and bombing allegedly originated from the Kangbai area, where a church complex stands near a BSF camp. He expressed concern over the lack of response from security personnel, warning that peace would remain elusive if such acts were indirectly tolerated.
Despite the attack, Athouba asserted that the resettlement process would continue, calling it the rightful return of displaced villagers. He urged the state government to create a new security arrangement to safeguard displaced families who have been away from their homes for over two years.
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He also accused the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) of issuing a statement that appeared to justify the attacks, calling it “unacceptable.” COCOMI has lodged a complaint against KZC representative Ginza Vualzong with the Superintendent of Police, Bishnupur, and plans to approach the DGP and the Chief Secretary. The group has demanded legal action against the KZC, alleging it gave “moral support to anti-peace activities,” and called for the council’s ban in the interest of peace.
Meanwhile, the Kuki-Zo Council on Wednesday condemned the violence in the Torbung “buffer zone” but blamed the Bishnupur district administration for allowing the resettlement of Meitei internally displaced persons (IDPs) in what it termed a “sensitive and volatile” area. The council described the move as “provocative and dangerous,” warning that it could trigger renewed conflict.
The KZC maintained that the Kuki-Zo community had shown restraint and rejected accusations of involvement in the attack. It reiterated that the Manipur crisis was political in nature and renewed its call to the Government of India to provide a separate administrative arrangement for the Kuki-Zo people.