A 42-year-old woman farmer was killed and two men were critically injured after armed militants allegedly opened fire on farmers harvesting paddy under security protection at Taphou Kuki village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Thursday, triggering a 48-hour total shutdown across the district and an ultimatum for the withdrawal of all Central and State security forces operating under the command of the Senapati Superintendent of Police (SP).
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, announced the shutdown from midnight on November 12, giving the governments 48 hours to withdraw the security forces deployed across Kangpokpi district under the command of SP Senapati.
The deceased was identified as Kimneineng Chongloi (42), wife of Thanggou Chongloi. The injured were identified as Sehkhongam David Chongloi (34), son of Late Thangmang Chongloi, and Lamkhochon Chongloi (46), son of Late Semthang Chongloi, all residents of Taphou Kuki village.
According to villagers, the Senapati SP had arranged security cover comprising three sections of CRPF personnel from 112, 142 and 152 Battalions, one section of BSF personnel from 149 Battalion, and a team of Senapati Police to facilitate safe paddy harvesting.
Following the security arrangement, villagers went to harvest paddy in their fields along the Taphou Kuki-Kailenjang road, near Oiname Taphou Liangmei village. However, at around 10.30 am, armed assailants allegedly opened fire on them with sophisticated weapons from the Oiname Liangmei Taphou area, despite the presence of security personnel.
The two injured men were initially taken to the District Hospital in Kangpokpi, where they received first aid before being referred to a higher medical facility for further treatment.
The woman's body was subsequently recovered following the deployment of additional security forces. It was first brought to the village chief's residence before being transported to Kangpokpi.
Villagers further alleged that even after additional security personnel arrived, surviving farmers who returned to retrieve their belongings came under another round of firing from the same area, further heightening fears over civilian safety.
In a strongly worded condemnation, CoTU squarely blamed the Government of India and the Manipur Government for the fresh bloodshed, alleging that their persistent inaction and indecisiveness against armed Tangkhul-led NSCN-IM and ZUF-K militants had emboldened them to launch another attack on innocent villagers.
"Another bloodshed at Taphou Kuki is the result of the Government's persistent inaction and indecision against the armed Tangkhul-led NSCN-IM and ZUF-K," the Committee stated.
CoTU said the latest attack occurred before the wounds of the horrific killings of Paoginlal Hangshing and Tinginlun Chongloi, both from Taphou Kuki, could even begin to heal, leaving another family devastated and two more villagers fighting for survival.
The Committee said public anger had already been mounting over the unresolved abduction and subsequent killings of the two youths, adding that the latest bloodshed further exposed what it termed the Governments' indifference and selective response to the security concerns of the Kuki-Zo community.
Questioning how armed militants could allegedly launch a deadly attack despite the presence of security personnel, CoTU said the incident exposed serious shortcomings in the existing security arrangements and raised grave concerns about the authorities' ability to protect civilians.
The Committee maintained that its Charter of Demands was never intended to be a mere collection of grievances, political rhetoric or ultimatums, but an urgent roadmap to prevent further bloodshed and address fundamental security failures.
With the seven-day window provided to the Governments nearing its conclusion, CoTU warned that it would review its decision and determine its subsequent course of action in the absence of tangible and satisfactory action.
Meanwhile, announcing the 48-hour shutdown from midnight on November 12, CoTU executive member Lamminlun Singsit alleged that the security arrangement under SP Senapati had miserably failed in its fundamental responsibility of safeguarding civilian lives.
He asserted that security forces operating under the Senapati SP's command within Kangpokpi district, instead of serving as a protective shield for innocent civilians, had increasingly become a source of fear and insecurity among the public.
Describing the arrangement as a perceived "death trap", Singsit questioned how civilians could be expected to feel safe when even farmers engaged in routine agricultural activities under security protection remained vulnerable to deadly attacks.
He further said the continued deployment of security forces without effective civilian protection had raised serious questions about accountability, operational effectiveness and the credibility of the existing security mechanism in the district.
CoTU has demanded the immediate withdrawal of all Central and State security forces operating under the command of SP Senapati from Kangpokpi district within 48 hours.
The Committee will also convene a public consultation during the shutdown to deliberate on the prevailing security situation and determine the collective course of action. It said resolutions adopted at the meeting would be strictly adhered to and implemented.
During the 48-hour total shutdown, only educational institutions, medical services and other emergency services will be exempted, while all other activities across the district will remain suspended.
CoTU warned that the Governments would bear full responsibility for any further consequences arising from their continued failure to ensure civilian security and deliver justice.
The Committee also expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of Kimneineng Chongloi and wished the two injured victims a speedy recovery, reaffirming its solidarity with the people of Taphou Kuki.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
