Kangpokpi: Amid the prevailing Manipur violence which has persisted for over four months, cadres of the Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), who are under Suspension of Operation agreements with the Government of India and the Government of Manipur, allegedly assaulted an individual belonging to the Liangmei Naga tribe.
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The incident took place along the Imphal-Tamenglong road near Chalwa Police Outpost around 7:30 AM on September 5. The assault reportedly occurred because the victim refused to give 300 rupees to the KRA cadres and mentioned UNC, Naga Hoho, and NNC (Naga National Council) when asked about the authorities who had banned Naga people from giving into extortion.
The victim, identified as Z. Hotngambou, who is the former Chairman of Lenglong Village under Tamei Sub-division, narrated that the assault took place while he was returning from his farm with his wife and son in a Bolero Pick Up vehicle carrying bananas for sale.
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Speaking to the media at Manipur Press Club this afternoon, Hotngambou said two KRA cadres demanded money from him, and when he refused, mentioning the Naga authorities, they assaulted him in front of his family before returning to Chalwa Police outpost which is currently being used as a relief camp for Kuki people.
Additionally, UKLF (United Kuki Liberation Front) cadres reportedly demanded money from him as he reached Kangpokpi, and he negotiated with them out of fear, giving them Rs. 2,000.
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Lenglong Village Chairman K. Jindaibou has expressed strong disapproval of the attack and highlighted that Kuki insurgents have been involved in extortion activities targeting Nagas along the Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) road. He has urged the government to intervene promptly to address these concerns and ensure the safety of the local population. In response to the incident, Ahangruak Chief Chairman Association (Naga organization), Kangpokpi, has imposed a total shutdown in Liangmei Naga-dominated areas of Kangpokpi District to protest the assault on the Liangmei Naga man by KRA cadres.
It is worth noting that amid the ongoing violence in Manipur, a house belonging to a Liangmei Naga was reportedly burnt down along with Meitei houses by Kuki miscreants in the Leimakhong area.
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