Security Operation in Manipur Draws Sharp Criticism from Kuki GroupsSecurity Operation in Manipur Draws Sharp Criticism from Kuki Groups IMPHAL, Manipur: Several Kuki organizations, including the Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong & Noney (KIJTN) and the Kuki Chief Association, Tousem Block (KCA), have denounced a recent search operation conducted by security forces in Mongbung village, Jiribam district, Manipur. The Kuki groups allege that the central forces and Jiribam police conducted the house search in an “uncivilized and inhuman” manner. They claim that vital food supplies, such as rice, potatoes, and lentils, were destroyed, exacerbating the hardship faced by villagers already affected by a blockade imposed by Meitei groups. The timing of the operation has also raised concerns among Kuki groups, as it came shortly after an attack by heavily armed Meitei militants on Mongbung and a neighboring village. They allege that the search operation coincided with a wave of harassment of women and arbitrary arrests of innocent youths in an earlier operation in Phaitol village. As a result, civil society groups in Kuki suspect collaboration between security forces and Meitei groups. They demand the removal of a certain colonel and punishment for those responsible for the Mongbung incident, warning that any negative consequences will be attributed to the district authorities, security agencies, and the state government. Meanwhile, flood victims in Manipur have appealed to Chief Minister Biren Singh for essential relief materials and medical camps to address health issues caused by the floods. Singh announced a two-pronged strategy, focusing on immediate relief for affected households and strengthening vulnerable spots along river banks to prevent future breaches. The torrential rains have displaced thousands of families in the five valley districts, including Imphal. Disaster management officials reported breaches in the Imphal River and the Kongba River, leading to widespread flooding.
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IMPHAL: The Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong & Noney (KIJTN) and other Kuki groups have sharply criticised a recent search operation by security forces in Mongbung village in Jiribam, Manipur.
The Kuki groups, including the Kuki Chief Association, Tousem Block (KCA), the Kuki Students’ Organisation Jiri & Tamenglong and the Kuki Inpi Women Wing, accused the central forces and the Jiribam police of conducting a house search in an “uncivilised and inhuman” manner.
They said security forces destroyed vital food supplies such as rice, potatoes and lentils, which were already hard to come by due to a blockade imposed by Meitei groups, causing problems for villagers.
They also criticized the timing of the operation, pointing out that the search came shortly after heavily armed Meitei militants attacked Mongbung and a nearby village.
This, coupled with allegations of women being harassed and innocent youths being arrested during an earlier operation in Phaitol village, has led civil society groups in Kuki to suspect collaboration between security forces and Meitei groups.
The statement calls for the removal of a certain colonel and urges punishment for those responsible for the Mongbung incident. It warns that any negative consequences arising from these actions will be attributed solely to the district authorities, security agencies and the state government.
Earlier, the flood victims had requested the Manipur Chief Minister for essential relief materials and medical camps to address the health problems caused by the floods.
Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh said the government is implementing a two-pronged strategy. He said they are addressing the immediate needs of the affected households and at the same time identifying and strengthening vulnerable spots along the river banks to prevent further breaches.
Several thousand families were affected in the five valley districts, including the capital Imphal. Disaster management officials said the Imphal River breached its embankment at Singjamei Oinam Thingel in Imphal West district, and the Kongba River at Kongba Irong and parts of Keirao in Imphal East district.
