The Kuki CSO Working Committee on Saturday vehemently condemned what it described as a “brazen and cowardly” attack on unarmed paddy farmers in G. Shongmun village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, and demanded immediate intervention from authorities.
According to the committee, the incident occurred around 9:30 am on April 4, when unidentified armed assailants allegedly opened indiscriminate automatic fire, reportedly discharging around 20 rounds at civilians engaged in their daily agricultural activities.
Calling the attack a “direct assault on the fundamental right to life and security,” the committee expressed serious concern that such an incident took place despite the presence of deployed security forces in the area. It raised questions over accountability, operational effectiveness, and what it termed as a failure to safeguard vulnerable communities.
The organisation further alleged that the attack reflects a “dangerous climate of impunity,” where armed elements operate with disregard for civilian lives and state authority.
The committee also denounced what it described as repeated targeting of farmers and commuters along the Tingpibung–Lplen route, stating that such incidents have created fear and instability among local residents and amount to sustained intimidation of ordinary citizens.
The committee demanded immediate, decisive and transparent action, including a time-bound operation to disarm armed groups operating from Sinakeithei and nearby areas, enhanced civilian protection measures, and a comprehensive investigation to fix responsibility on both perpetrators and any lapses in the security response.
“Silence, delay, or inaction in the face of such violence is unacceptable,” the committee said, urging the government and security agencies to act “firmly and without compromise” to restore law and order and ensure that no armed group operates above the law.
The situation in parts of Manipur, including Ukhrul, has remained tense amid sporadic incidents of violence in recent months.
Meanwhile, the Kuki CSO Working Committee also strongly condemned a declaration by authorities of Thawai Tangkhul opposing the entry of security forces for operations in their area, terming the move “untenable” and contrary to public safety.
The committee said the Thawai Tangkhul village authority’s claim of maintaining peace since the onset of unrest among communities stands in “stark contradiction” to what it described as serious and longstanding allegations. It referred to past incidents, including the Tangkhul-Kuki conflict, and alleged involvement in violence against Kuki villagers.
The committee further claimed that armed elements, allegedly operating under the guise of “village volunteers”, have established fortified bunker networks stretching from areas along the Thoubal River near Zalenbung to the peripheries of Mongneljang and Mahadev.
According to the committee, these positions have allegedly been used for repeated firing incidents, particularly targeting areas near Shangkai, creating fear among residents of nearby villages including Gwaltabi and Mongneljang.
The committee also alleged that such fortified locations were equipped with sophisticated weapons and surveillance equipment, posing a serious threat to civilian life and restricting normal movement in the region.
It called on the Thawai Tangkhul village authority to refrain from what it termed as “unsubstantiated propaganda,” including claims regarding the presence of illegal immigrants, unless backed by verifiable evidence.
Describing the opposition to security operations as “deeply hypocritical,” the committee said invoking provisions of the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act to resist lawful intervention undermines the authority of the state.
The committee, however, welcomed recent combing operations conducted by security forces, including units of the Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Manipur Police on March 26 in areas such as Shangkai, Thawai Tangkhul, Mahadev and Zalenbung, stating that these actions led to the dismantling of several alleged illegal bunkers and brought a sense of relief to local residents.
It further claimed that attempts by armed militants to infiltrate and carry out attacks were foiled by security forces on April 3 during operations conducted at different times of the day.
Urging continued action, the committee called on security agencies to intensify efforts to dismantle illegal bunkers and disarm armed groups, particularly along the Mahadev–Mongneljang stretch, to restore peace and stability
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
