The Kuki-Zu Council, a civic body, on Friday condemned the killing of two volunteers who were kidnapped on Wednesday and found dead on Thursday in the Mapithil hill range in Ukhrul district of Manipur.
Police found the bodies of Theinkhojin Paet, 42, from Thway Kuki village in Kamjung District, and Thangpuymang Khongsay, 35, from Shangkai in Ukhrul District. They were found dead after an alleged gun battle between two armed groups belonging to the Tangkul Naga and Kuki communities in the forest of the Mapithil hill range, also known as Thwai Kuki Hill, on Thursday.
The Council described the killing as a “merciless and inhumane act” against innocent civilians.
“The continuing violence and discrimination faced by the Kuki-Zu people reinforces our conviction that our safety and dignity cannot be guaranteed under the current arrangement in Manipur. Our demand for a Union Territory with a legislative body is therefore not just a political claim but is essential for the survival and future of the Kuki-Zu people,” the KZC said in the statement.
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The Council urged the Government of India to act decisively and expedite the political settlement so that justice, security and lasting peace are assured to the community.
The fighting reportedly occurred between 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Wednesday after unidentified armed groups kidnapped the two villagers. During the exchange of fire, civilian Laminthang Haokip (40 years old) was slightly injured by a bullet and was taken to a health center in Kangbukpi district for treatment.
In retaliation, some members of the Kuki community abducted 21 civilians belonging to the Tangkul Naga community who were traveling along the Ukrul-Imphal road at Shangkai village in Ukrul district. With the intervention of the district administration and civil society organizations, they were released safely on Thursday.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Manipur Police said: “On the morning of March 11, huts located at a poppy cultivation site in the Thwai Kuki mountain range (Mapithil Range) were reportedly burnt and two Kuki poppy farmers were taken into custody. Following this, an exchange of gunfire took place between armed miscreants of the Tangkul and Kuki groups, allegedly using sophisticated weapons. During the incident of firing and scuffle, a few youths went missing,” the Manipur Police said in a statement issued on Thursday.
Police registered three FIRs for further investigation, and Chief Minister Yomnam Kemchand on Thursday informed the Manipur Legislative Assembly that the case would be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation.
