Kuki Bodies Allege Twin Attacks on Civilians Aim to Derail Govt’s Peace Push; Condemn ‘Selective Ops’ in Kuki Settlements

Two prominent Kuki bodies, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, and the Ihang-Bungpi Working Committee, have strongly condemned the alleged midnight armed attack on Leplen village under Saikul Sub-Division and the pre-dawn arson attack on Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district, describing the incidents as a “sinister bid” to derail the government’s peace efforts in strife-torn Manipur.

The two bodies alleged that the twin attacks on Kuki civilians were aimed at undermining the government’s recent peace initiatives and creating fresh instability in the conflict-hit state.

The Committee on Tribal Unity also vehemently condemned the alleged “selective operation” conducted at J. Songtun early Monday morning, alleging that the operation created widespread fear and anxiety among innocent women, children and elderly residents.

Condemning the twin attack on Taphou Kuki and Leplen Village, the CoTU accused, what it termed as, armed Kacha Tangkhul-led NSCN-IM cadres and members of the Liangmei community of triggering fresh tensions in the hills.

The committee described the incidents as “retaliatory responses” to the Government of India and the current Popular Government in Manipur's recent action against an alleged illegal checkpoint at Namdilong, which, it claimed, had kept the state “under siege” for nearly four months.

CoTU alleged that the latest violence was part of a wider “choreographic political game plan” allegedly being pursued by politically vested interests to destabilise the hill districts and topple the present state government.

The committee claimed that the government’s recent measures under Chief Minister Y Khemchand had shown some progress towards restoring law and order, and warned that such alleged retaliatory attacks could further erode the remaining space for civilian life and peace in the region.

Calling for decisive intervention by both the Centre and the state government, CoTU demanded that the operational reach of the NSCN-IM in the hill areas be curtailed and that the outfit be prevented from allegedly destabilising the region.

It further called for action against leaders of the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Sadar Hills District Sports Association (SDSA), alleging that certain leaders were involved in perpetuating tensions by “instigating and insinuating” the public.

“If the Government of India and the state are sincere towards their peace mission, decisive action must be taken against forces seeking to destabilise the hill regions,” the committee said.

CoTU urged the authorities to act firmly and impartially before the latest incidents trigger a wider cycle of retaliation and further undermine the fragile law-and-order situation in the hills.

The committee further decried the alleged “selective operation” at J. Songtun, condemning what it described as the physical assault of women and elderly persons by security forces, and cautioned both central and state security agencies against pursuing such selective operations, calling for a fair, impartial and balanced dispensation of justice in the region.

Meanwhile, the Ihang-Bungpi Working Committee strongly condemned the alleged midnight armed attack on Leplen village by NSCN-IM cadres, which reportedly left a civilian injured.

The committee accused the government of exposing vulnerable Kuki villages to grave security threats through what it termed a “selective” withdrawal and deployment of security forces.

According to the committee, the incident occurred around 12.20 am on Monday when armed personnel allegedly stationed at Seneikethil village entered the jurisdiction of Leplen and opened indiscriminate fire at local travellers and villagers.

An adult civilian sustained injuries in the firing, which the committee described as an “unprovoked attack” on innocent civilians.

The committee said the incident came barely six days after security forces were withdrawn from Leplen despite the continued deployment of a significant number of personnel at Seneikethil.

It alleged that Leplen Kuki Village and Songmun Kuki Village had consequently been left without adequate security cover, rendering civilians vulnerable to armed attacks.

Questioning the rationale behind the security arrangement, the committee asked whether the government was “intentionally allowing NSCN-IM the freedom to launch attacks against Kuki villages”.

It termed the alleged selective deployment and withdrawal of security forces a serious failure of governance and security, asserting that such an arrangement jeopardised the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

“The selective removal of security has rendered our villages vulnerable and significantly jeopardised the safety of innocent civilians,” the committee said.

The committee demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the alleged attack, urgent redeployment of adequate Central security forces to Leplen and Songmun villages, and equal security protection for civilians and their properties irrespective of their location or identity.

Warning of further escalation, it said the government would be held responsible for any subsequent loss of life or property if its demands were not addressed immediately.

The committee said it advocated “peace, security and justice”, but cautioned that security arrangements perceived as selective could further deepen fear, insecurity and instability among civilians.