Renewed Conflict in Manipur; Militants Assault Village Leaders
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Synopsis
On April 5 in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, fresh conflict erupted as suspected Kuki militants assaulted at least 10 individuals, including two village leaders, over a land dispute. The violence has heightened tensions between tribal communities amidst ongoing peace efforts.
Key Takeaways
- At least 10 individuals, including two village chiefs, were attacked.
- The assault was allegedly carried out by Kuki militants.
- The injured belong to the Naga community.
- Authorities have condemned the violence and increased security.
- Previous incidents have already strained inter-ethnic relationships.
Imphal, April 5 (NationPress) Fresh unrest has emerged between two tribal factions in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district following an alleged attack on at least 10 individuals, which included two prominent village leaders, by suspected Kuki militants due to a land dispute, officials reported.
The injured parties, which included the two village leaders, hailed from the Naga community.
A police representative in Imphal indicated that the incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in Konsakhul village when a group of roughly 200 individuals, accompanied by armed Kuki militants, invaded the village and assaulted at least 10 inhabitants, including the two village leaders. Local sources informed security forces that the assailants, purportedly from the Kuki community, originated from the nearby Haraothel village within the same district.
The two village leaders -- Aimson Abonmai (65) and D. Adam (40), who suffered severe injuries alongside eight other villagers, are currently receiving medical care in various hospitals. Medical professionals have stated that both village leaders are no longer in critical condition.
Meanwhile, the Rongmei Naga Council has vehemently condemned the assault.
The police representative noted that additional security personnel have been deployed to the hill village to restore order. This unprovoked violence has rekindled tensions among communities in the area, particularly in light of a prior incident that had already heightened inter-ethnic discord.
On January 7, a tribal woman working on her agricultural land in Konsakhul was reportedly attacked by armed Kuki militants, who also damaged her mobile phone. This incident sparked widespread outrage among the Liangmai tribal people and led to increased anxiety in the neighboring regions.
Just two days later, on January 9, fresh disturbances erupted in Konsakhul and surrounding villages, as Liangmai tribal community members protested against the ongoing targeting of civilians and the perceived inaction of local authorities.
The recent attack has intensified concerns that the situation on the ground is rapidly worsening, despite ongoing peace-building initiatives launched by the Centre.
Saturday’s incident coincided with a meeting in New Delhi involving officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and representatives from the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities aimed at resolving the 23-month-long ethnic conflicts in Manipur.
