Amid Shutdown, CoTU’s Second-Day Sit-in at Saparmeina, Kangpokpi Demands Action Over Taphou Killings

Amid the 48-hour total shutdown gripping Kangpokpi district, the Committee on Tribal Unity's (CoTU) second-day sit-in protest at Saparmeina and Kangpokpi Town witnessed the participation of hundreds of Kuki-Zo community members at both venues, expressing strong resentment over the alleged inaction of the State Government in apprehending the perpetrators behind the killing of three Kuki-Zo civilians from Taphou Kuki village and its continued hesitancy to remove the unauthorised Huthrong Brigade Camp of the NSCN-IM at Oklong in Senapati district.

With the seven-day window extended to the government expiring today without any tangible breakthrough, CoTU has called for public consultation to chart its next course of action, signalling mounting frustration over what it termed the government's continued inaction amid escalating civilian casualties and worsening security concerns.

The protests came amid heightened tension following Thursday's deadly armed attack at Taphou Kuki village, where a 42-year-old woman farmer was shot dead and two other male farmers sustained critical bullet injuries while harvesting paddy in their fields under security protection.

Protesters at both venues chanted slogans demanding the removal of the NSCN-IM's Huthrong Brigade Camp at Oklong in Senapati district, the withdrawal of security forces operating under the command of the SP, Senapati, from Kangpokpi district, and justice for the Taphou victims.

CoTU spokesperson Ng. Lun Kipgen questioned the nature and effectiveness of the security arrangements, pointing out that, amid mounting tensions with the Liangmei community, Taphou villagers had been required to seek permission from the Senapati Superintendent of Police to access and inspect the area and secure protection for farmers harvesting their paddy.

He recalled that despite the presence of security forces during the harvesting operation, the armed attackers allegedly opened fire on the farmers, raising serious questions about the preparedness and effectiveness of the security deployment.

Demanding an explanation from the State Government regarding the nature of the security arrangements, Kipgen asked what concrete measures were being taken to prevent such attacks from recurring.

Reiterating CoTU's position, he maintained that the removal of the unauthorised NSCN-IM camp at Oklong and the rectification of the police chain of command in the fringe areas of Kangpokpi are immediate prerequisites for restoring normalcy in the region.

Kipgen asserted that its Charter of Demands was never intended to be a mere collection of grievances, political rhetoric or an exercise in issuing ultimatums, but rather an urgent and constructive roadmap to prevent further bloodshed, restore normalcy, address fundamental security failures and avert tragedies such as the Taphou attack.

Kipgen further argued that, had the governments demonstrated the necessary political will and administrative resolve to act on its demands, including the rationalisation and rectification of police jurisdiction, stringent action against the NSCN-IM and ZUF-K, and the removal of the alleged unauthorised NSCN-IM camp at Huthrong Brigade, Oklong, the prevailing security situation could have been addressed and Thursday's tragedy might have been prevented.

Kipgen also called for the resignation of incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho on moral grounds, holding him accountable for what he described as his failure to exercise control and prevent armed elements from targeting innocent civilians.

He warned that all Central and State security forces, particularly those operating under the command of the Senapati SP, must be withdrawn from Kangpokpi district within the 48-hour total shutdown, which is scheduled to culminate at 5:00 pm on November 14.

He maintained that without decisive intervention by both the State and Central governments, any temporary or prescriptive arrangement would fail to deliver sustainable peace and lasting normalcy in the hill region.

The Sadar Hills-based tribal body's position remains that meaningful engagement and further negotiations with the Manipur Government would require concrete action on its Charter of Demands, particularly the removal of the unauthorised NSCN-IM camp and rectification of the security command structure in the conflict-affected fringe areas.

Meanwhile, The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) has strongly condemned the killing of Kimneineng Chongloi and the serious injury of Sehngam alias David Chongloi and Lamkhochon Chongloi in an alleged armed attack between Taphou Kuki and Kailenjang villages under Senapati Police Station on November 12, demanding an impartial probe, accountability and immediate protection of vulnerable settlements.

The human rights body alleged the involvement of cadres of the NSCN-IM and members of ZUF-K and called for an immediate, independent and time-bound investigation to establish the circumstances of the attack and bring those responsible to justice.

Describing the incident as a grave violation of the right to life and civilian security, the organisation said the woman was reportedly found dead with a sickle still clutched in her hand, suggesting that she was engaged in her routine agricultural activities when the attack occurred.

The organisation made five key demands, including an immediate and impartial investigation into the alleged involvement of NSCN-IM and ZUF-K; prosecution of everyone found responsible, including those who ordered, facilitated or participated in the attack; and effective security measures to protect Taphou Kuki and neighbouring vulnerable settlements, particularly women, children and elderly persons.

It also demanded comprehensive medical treatment and necessary recovery support for the two injured victims, besides strict adherence by all armed actors to international humanitarian law and the principles of distinction and civilian protection.

KWOHR further urged the Centre, the Manipur government, the National Human Rights Commission and other human rights institutions to take serious cognisance of the incident and ensure that justice is delivered without delay.

Extending condolences to the bereaved family and solidarity with all the victims, KWOHR said the killing must not be reduced to another statistic in the prolonged conflict, asserting that silence in the face of such brutality would only embolden impunity.