IT News
Imphal, Nov 13:
Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), Manipur President Th. Manihar issued a press statement on recent violence in Jiribam, where tensions between Meitei and Kuki groups have escalated.
Th. Manihar highlighted that Meitei and Hmar communities have historically lived together in harmony, but recent attacks by Kuki militants on 7 November sought to disrupt this unity. FOCS claims that when Kuki militants attacked the area, the Meitei residents defended their homes. During the confrontation, a woman was killed, and Kuki militants falsely blamed the Meitei community for her death. However, FOCS maintains that she was, in fact, killed by the Kuki assailants.
The statement continued with reports of escalating violence. On 8 November, Kuki militants allegedly launched an attack near the Motbung area in Jiribam, firing 55 rounds of 51-inch and 81-inch mortar shells. FOCS warned that these attacks were part of an ongoing campaign and anticipated further violence. On 10 November, at around 3:30 PM, another attack occurred in Borobekara Subdivision, just 200 meters from a local police station. Armed Kuki militants reportedly arrived in an auto-rickshaw, opened fire, and abducted six people, including an eight-month-old baby, from Meitei homes and shops. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) responded to the situation, engaging in gunfire with the assailants.
FOCS stated that the abducted individuals were taken to Assam via ferry and demanded that the Assam government be held accountable for their actions. The organization further called for the perpetrators, including the 10 absentee Kuki MLAs, to be officially declared terrorists, alongside groups such as the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) and Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF). FOCS also called for the removal of Assam Rifles, accusing them of providing protection to those responsible for the violence.
In light of these developments, FOCS urged for unity among the local community, including civil society organizations (CSOs), armed groups, and village volunteers, to stand together in defense. The statement also outlined plans for a strong movement starting the next day. FOCS declared that schools should refrain from singing the national anthem and called for two minutes of silence to honor those abducted. Vendors in Ima Market were also urged to participate in the silence at noon in solidarity with the victims and to pray for their safe return.
