UKHRUL: Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) on Friday condemned the July 11 arson attack on Meitei houses at Kanto Sabal, calling for a fair investigation, prosecution of those responsible, and stronger security measures around the Leimakhong Military Station.
TIM alleged that the houses were set ablaze by “Kuki mobs” during a rally organised under the banner of the Leimakhong Area Protection Committee (LAPC). It said there could be “no justification” for the incident and expressed sympathy to the affected families.
The Thadou body in a statement welcomed the Manipur government’s condemnation of the attack and the arrests made in connection with the case, while reiterating that the Thadou community rejects violence, arson, intimidation and other unlawful acts.
TIM urged both the Centre and the Manipur government to order a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
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It also appealed to the authorities to strengthen security around the Leimakhong Military Station and prevent unlawful armed groups or criminal networks from exercising influence over civilian populations.
Addressing members of the Thadou community, TIM urged Thadou residents in the 27 villages under the LAPC in the Leimakhong area to disassociate themselves from Kuki organisations, including the LAPC. It asked community members to identify themselves solely as Thadou to avoid what it described as misidentification, and stressed that criminal liability should be determined only through due process of law.
TIM further called for protection of Thadou individuals and villages from alleged coercion, intimidation and violence by Kuki militant groups, including those under and outside the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, as well as organisations it claimed act as their fronts.
TIM also encouraged Thadou villages to install signboards identifying themselves as “Thadou Village” and proposed that Thadou and Naga communities work towards a formal understanding to strengthen trust, cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
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