Tensions rose in Manipur on Friday as Kuki-Zo organizations held massive protests in Churachandpur over the killing of three church leaders, while Naga and Meitei civic bodies jointly protested in Imphal West demanding the safe release of six Naga civilians allegedly being held by Kuki groups.
The parallel protests highlighted growing tension between the Kuki and Naga communities following a new cycle of violence in the Kangbukpi and Nonni areas earlier this week.
Three senior leaders of Thado Baptist Association (TBA) were killed and four others injured on Wednesday when militants ambushed two vehicles on the road between Kangpokpi and Churachandpur in Kangpokpi district of Manipur. A Naga man was also killed in a separate alleged ambush in Noni district the same evening, while two others were injured.
Following the clash, around 38 individuals belonging to the Kuki and Naga communities were detained, according to Home Minister Govindas Kunthujam. While 28 individuals – 14 from each community – have been released safely, the remaining five members from each community remain in the care of the respective groups.
In Churachandpur, Kuki Women’s Organization for Human Rights (KWOHR) organized a massive rally to denounce the killing of the three church leaders.
After the rally, KWOHR submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur District, containing several demands.
The demands included “reimposition of President’s rule in Manipur to restore law and order and public confidence, immediate review and strengthening of security agencies and their deployment in all Kuki-Zu areas to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement and protection of civilians and passengers, a high-level investigation into the brutal killing of the three Kuki priests and all acts of proxy violence committed against the Kuki-Zu people, and ensuring that all perpetrators and conspirators are identified and prosecuted under the law, promptly and effectively.” Take decisive action against ZUF-Kamson and NSCN-IM, involved in violence against innocent civilians, recognize and legitimize the village guards formed for self-protection in Kuki-Zo villages under appropriate legal and administrative mechanisms, adequate security arrangements and permanent protection mechanisms in vulnerable and conflict-prone Kuki-Zo areas, and meet the long-standing political demand for a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo people under the Constitution of India to ensure lasting peace, security, dignity and dignity. coexistence.”
KWOHR called on Shah to urgently intervene and take decisive steps to protect innocent lives and uphold justice and constitutional rights.
Meanwhile, Naga civic bodies, along with the Coordination Committee on Integrity of Manipur (COCOMI), an apex civic body of Manipur, organized a human chain protest at Kanglatongbi Market in Imphal West.
The protest demanded the immediate and safe release of six Naga civilians still in the custody of alleged Kuki armed groups.
The Kobro Range Naga Women’s Union (KRNWU) also held a protest. Additionally, Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) chief Sword Vashom, in a video circulating on social media, said the United Naga Council (UNC) had issued an ultimatum to release the six Naga civilians by 2pm on Saturday.
Ashum asked the Manipur government and security forces to rescue the five Naga civilians before the deadline to prevent further repercussions.
