Manipur Violence: In a fresh incidence of violence, as many as two people were killed in a gunfight between two rival groups in Manpur’s Kangpokpi district on Monday. According to the police, the incident took place between Haraothel and Kobsha villages of the district.
Following this, the Kangpokpi-based Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) declared an emergency shutdown in the district. They also condemned the ‘unprovoked attack’ on the Kuki-Zo community.
Following the attack, the COTU reaffirmed its demand for the establishment of a separate administrative body for Manipur's tribal communities. The tribal body also requested the Centre to instruct the authorities concerned to take proactive steps to nab those involved in the brutal attack and killing and also ask the authorities to ensure that no such attack and killing occur in the Kuki-Zo-dominated areas.
Thangtinlen Haokip, the CoTU's Information and Publicity Secretary told the media that the militants' attack on the tribal people on Monday was yet another instance of their aggression in the Kuki-Zo-dominated region, as reported by news agency IANS.
Meanwhile, additional forces have been deployed in the violence-hit area and a search is underway to arrest those involved in the violence.
More than 180 people have lost their lives since the ethnic clashes erupted in strife-torn Manipur. (ANI Image)
Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic clashes since May 3 after the tribals of the Kuki community attended a ‘Solidarity March’ to protest against the inclusion of the majority Meitei community in the ST category. More than 180 people have lost their lives in the recurrent episodes of violence in the northeastern state.
Recommended For You
Meiteis make up around 53 per cent of the state’s population and lives mainly in the Imphal Valley. While Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute little more than 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts.
The Christian Kuki tribes do not want the inclusion of the majority of Meiteis in the ST category as they think it would put pressure on government benefits.