Kumar Bahukhandi
Manipur Violence: The country’s northeastern state Manipur has been burning in the fire of violence since last year. The fire of violence between the Kuki and Meitei community is not stopping. In Penial village of Tuibong sub-division in Churachandpur of the state, miscreants burnt down the house of a BJP leader. On the other hand, the Kuki community took out three rallies in tribal-dominated areas. In these rallies, they demanded a separate administration and protested against the alleged viral audio clip of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, in which some objectionable comments are heard. This may further fuel the fire of violence.
These rallies were organised by the Kuki-Zo in Leishang, Keithelmanbi and Moreh in tribal-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts respectively. All markets and schools in the district remained closed in view of this rally called by the Kuki Student Organization (KSO) and the Zomi Student Union (ZSF). In Kangpokpi, hundreds of protesters took part in the rally which started from the Keithelmanbi Military Colony and ended at Thomas Ground after covering a distance of 8 km.
At the same time, unknown miscreants set fire to the ancestral house of BJP spokesperson Michael Lamjathang in Penial village of Tuibong sub-division in Churachandpur at around 11:30 am on Saturday September 1 . Police said that during the attack, a car parked in the premises of the house was also set on fire.
Regarding this attack, CM N. Biren Singh wrote on X, “Targeting our people (in this case Thadu) repeatedly under the guise of peace rallies is a very disturbing trend. Such provocative acts will not be tolerated.
‘Protest also expressed at Jantar Mantar, Delhi
On the other hand, a strong protest was held on Saturday August 31 at Jantar Mantar, Delhi under the aegis of Kuki Students Organization. People of Kuki community living in Delhi-NCR also gathered in this protest. All the protesters had placards in their hands, in which the photo of the Chief Minister of Manipur was printed. These people are protesting against the alleged audio of CM Biren Singh, in which he is speaking wrong about the Kuki community. The protesting students attacked the CM and said that he is the Chief Minister of the Meitei community. We have been subjected to many atrocities in the last 16 months. Women of our community were paraded naked, they were beaten. We do not want the resignation of Chief Minister Biren Singh, but we want action against him.
More than 200 people killed in violence continuing since May 2023
Violence has been going on in Manipur since May 3, 2023 between the Kuki and Meitei communities over reservation. According to government figures, 226 people have died so far in the violence. More than 1100 people have been injured. More than 65 thousand people have left their homes.
