COTU Condemns Mulam Incident, Flags “Heinous Crime,” Urges Action Against Perpetrators

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, has issued a strong condemnation of the April 24 incident at Mulam village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, describing it as a “heinous crime” and raising serious concern over its implications for peace and stability in the region.

The committee stated that a “well-choreographed narrative” by a section of tribes within the Naga fraternity from Ukhrul had evoked sentiments among uninformed sections, leading to an “uncalled” three-day shutdown by the United Naga Council (UNC). It said the protest was projected as accusatory towards the Kuki-Zo community, allegedly to deflect internal conflicts within armed Naga insurgent groups in the region, which it termed “most regretful.”

Referring to the Mulam incident, CoTU said the unfortunate episode witnessed bullet injuries to several villagers, including women and children, along with the loss of two village volunteers, allegedly at the hands of Tangkhul militants. It described the act as a “clear and precise handiwork” of radicalised Meitei politicians and their “ever-cherished armed militia,” the Arambai Tenggol, accusing them of seeding animosity among tribal communities at large.

“It is highly condemnable and a cowardly attempt to dislodge the hard-earned peace initiative by the Government of India at this critical juncture,” the statement said.

The committee further noted that the Mulam incident was not the first of its kind, pointing to similar occurrences over the past three years amid the ongoing conflict between the minority Kuki-Zo and the majority Meitei communities in Manipur. It alleged that several such atrocities by Tangkhul groups against Kuki-Zo people, including in Litan of Ukhrul district, had been overlooked in the interest of maintaining cordial relations, warning that such restraint should not be misconstrued as weakness by “warmongering” elements.

CoTU appealed to the concerned authorities to identify and bring the perpetrators of the incident to justice and to take firm measures to deter armed militias “running amok” in both the valley and hill districts of Ukhrul. It stressed that such action was essential to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevail in the region.

The committee concluded by reiterating its call for accountability and underscored the urgency of restoring normalcy in the affected areas.