Victims and Circumstances
IRB jawan and a civilian were ruthlessly killed in an ambush by suspected insurgents in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Monday. The victims, identified as Henminlen Vaiphei and Thangminlun Hangsing. Both hailing from Leimakhong Mission Veng village and Hunkho Kuki villages, were unarmed during the shocking incident.
Ambush Details
The two individuals, belonging to the Kuki-Zo community, fell prey to suspected cadres of a Valley-Based Insurgent Group (VBIG). While traversing a hilly area along the Kangpokpi-Churachandpur road around 10 am, according to local and security sources.
Significance of the Location
The road connecting the villages where the incident occurred has gained importance since the initiation of the Manipur ethnic conflict in May. This route serves as an internal passage for residents traveling between Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.
Tribal Leaders’ Forum Statement
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), representing Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur. Revealed that the attack took place in an area where three Kuki-Zo tribals were ambushed in September. The victims, who were unarmed, had just dropped off friends and were ambushed while heading back to Leimakhong.
Calls for Political Solution
ITLF condemned the attack and called upon the central government to provide the Kuki-Zo community with a political solution, free from the influence of a Meitei-controlled government.
Civil Society’s Response
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a civil society organization, condemned the unprovoked attack and declared an emergency shutdown in Kangpokpi district. CoTU emphasized the need for a separate administration and insisted that political separation is the only viable solution.
Opposition Parties’ Memorandum
Ten opposition parties, including AAP, TMC, CPI, CPI(M), Congress, JD(U), and NCP, submitted a memorandum to Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Friday. The memorandum urges the facilitation of a meeting between all political parties in Manipur and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the ongoing conflict.
