Imphal: At least two armed persons from the Kuki-Zo community were killed in an ensuing gunfight with armed Meitei/Meetei groups in the periphery areas of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts on Saturday. The incident of violence in Manipur occurred at Moirangpurel and Phailengmol villages just ahead of the proposed rally of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the state.
The fresh gunfight after a long lull erupted around 8:30 am Saturday, resulted in the death of two Kuki-Zo armed “village volunteers” [claimed by Committee on Tribal Unity]. However, the exact number of injuries sustained in the gunfight is yet to be confirmed.
The deceased have been identified as Kamlensat Lunkim, 25, son of Thangkhomang Lunkim from Bongjang village in Kangpokpi district, and Kamminlal Lupheng, 23, son of Paolet Lupheng from Nungdam village in Kangpokpi.
Tensions are running high in the areas surrounding Kangpokpi and Imphal East, leading to the deployment of additional security forces to maintain control. Firing was reported in several areas in the adjoining areas – Leitanpokpi and Kangchup Chingkhong on Saturday night.
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In response to the death of two Kuki-Zo persons, a 24-hour total shutdown has been imposed within Sadar Hills Kangpokpi by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) from April 13 midnight (Saturday) until midnight of April 14 (Sunday).
The Committee justified the shutdown, stating that it is a protest against the inhumane and barbaric actions of the secessionist Meitei militants and their blatant disregard for the Model Code of Conduct set by the Election Commission of India. It strongly condemned the “state-sponsored clandestine attack” that occurred in the Phailengmol areas this morning at around 8:30 am. The attack, CoTU said was “carried out by secessionist armed Meitei militants, resulted in the tragic sacrifice of two Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers who bravely defended the area.” Additionally, the Committee denounced the incident on April 12th, during which an innocent laborer was shot at Gamgiphai, a Kuki-Zo dominated area.
Information and Publicity Secretary, Committee on Tribal Unity, Kangpokpi in a press release stated that illegal quarry and pilferage of villages at L. Songphel, Saichang, Bongjang, Kamu Saichang and Bongbal Khullen is the precursor towards the incident at Phailengmol area. “This insatiable appetite to wage war and aggression by the majoritarian Meitei community against the minority Kuki-Zo community is a clear indication to exert political dominance over the minority,” CoTU maintained.
The Committee also stated it is appalled at the state Election Commission’s indifference attitude towards rampant movement of secessionist Meitei militants in the valley districts is a disservice to the democratic set up of a country.
