Ukhrul: The Manipur Police reported a coordinated militant attack around 3 PM Monday targeting the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) post at Jakuradhor and the Borobekra Police Station in Jiribam district. The Police stated that the clash led to the recovery of “10 armed militants” killed in the incident. However, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) challenged this account, stating that “11 Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers were killed in clashes at Jakuradhor Karong in Borobekra Sub-Division, Jiribam” and that the narrative is “one-sided.”
Monday’s surge in violence, in a region already fraught with ethnic tension, also claimed the life of a CRPF jawan.
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As per Police, in the exchange of gunfire, which lasted approximately 40-45 minutes, one CRPF constable, Sanjeev Kumar, sustained a gunshot wound. He was quickly evacuated to Silchar Medical College in Assam, where he is currently receiving treatment.
In the aftermath of the Jiribam clashes, violence spiraled out of control, with several valley villages in the foothills attacked in what is believed to be a retaliatory act by Kuki-Zo-Hmar armed groups. Viral videos surfaced late Monday from Kangchup village in Imphal West, allegedly showing Kuki-Zo-Hmar groups targeting Meitei community houses using sophisticated weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), with several homes and shops set on fire.
The Manipur Police on Jiribam clashes, reported that militants launched a heavy assault on security installations, prompting an immediate and robust response from the CRPF and Civil Police. After approximately 40–45 minutes of gunfire, the situation was brought under control. During the search operation following the firefight, security personnel recovered the bodies of ten militants along with a significant cache of weapons, including AK rifles, self-loading rifles (SLRs), INSAS rifles, an RPG, and a pump-action shotgun.
In response, to what the Kuki-Zo Council describes as “11 Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers”, the Council has declared a shutdown on Tuesday, November 12, from 5 AM to 6 PM.
Also read | Total Shutdown Announced by Kuki-Zo Council Following death of ’11 Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers’ in Jiribam
In a strongly worded statement, the Kuki-Zo Council condemned the incident and called for an immediate and thorough investigation. “The loss of our precious Kuki-Zo lives is not only a devastating blow to families but also to the entire Kuki-Zo community, who stand united in our pursuit of peace, justice, and security. We demand immediate investigations to bring those responsible to justice,” said the council.
The Committee on Tribal Unity further countered that upon learning that 50 members of the armed Meitei militia, Arambai Tenggol—allegedly responsible for the murder of Ms. Zosangkim Hmar and the burning of 15 homes in Zairawn Village—had taken shelter at Jiribam police station, Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers moved to secure and sanitize the area.
Also read | ‘Zosangkim Hmar’s sacrifice, a call to action, to unite’: Hmar Inpui
The CoTU expressed confusion over the CRPF’s retaliation, noting that the Kuki-Zo community has never directed violence toward central security forces, including the Army and Assam Rifles, in the 17 months of ongoing conflict. The Committee on Tribal Unity also urged a re-evaluation of the CRPF’s neutrality following the recent events at Jakuradhor Karong in Borobekra Sub-Division, Jiribam.
The CoTU in response to the Jiribam incident has imposed 24-hour total shutdown within Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi areas from November 11 midnight to November 12 midnight.
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