Kuki-Zo Youth Shot Dead in Manipur, Indigenous Tribal Leaders Demand Protection and Removal of Chief Minister

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Kuki-Zo Youth Shot Dead in Manipur, Community Blames Meitei Militants

In a tragic incident that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, a Kuki-Zo youth was shot dead in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur. The incident has prompted the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), the main organization representing the recognized Kuki-Zo tribes in Churachandpur, to blame Meitei militants for the attack. As a result, the ITLF has called for a shutdown in the Kuki-Zo-majority Churachandpur district.

The ITLF has stated that the purpose of the protest and shutdown is to pay homage to the victim, identified as Khupminthang Haokip, and to seek protection from central security forces against possible future attacks by Meitei militants. The organization has also urged the central government to take immediate action and remove the current BJP Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh. The ITLF claims that Singh’s recent remark at an event in Imphal implied that he is only working for the interests of the Meitei community and is neglecting the concerns of the tribal communities.

According to an army official, the victim died during firing between Kuki village defense volunteers and an armed group. The exchange of fire lasted approximately 45 minutes and occurred near the village of Joupi, which borders the Meitei-majority Bishnupur district. Security forces have already started combing and sanitizing operations in the area.

This incident comes just a few days after an India Reserve Battalion jawan and a civilian were killed in an ambush in the Kuki-Zo-majority Kangpokpi district. The ITLF alleges that the attackers in both incidents were Meitei militants.

The ongoing violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur has claimed the lives of at least 184 people since May 3, with 67,000 people being displaced. Despite the deployment of over 35,000 central force personnel in the state, the situation remains tense.

The ITLF has accused the Meitei militants of carrying out the attack in Joupi. They claim that the assailants were armed with sophisticated weapons and targeted Haokip, who was guarding a bunker. However, the courageous villagers managed to fight back and repel the attackers.

In a warning, the ITLF has stated that some of the assailants went missing during the melee and are now regrouping in significant numbers near Ngarian in the Bishnupur district. This suggests a potential escalation of hostilities in the area.

In other news, a delegation from the Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC) will be meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on November 28 to discuss the rescheduling of the counting day. The NGOCC is a conglomerate of five leading civil society organizations and student bodies in Mizoram. They are seeking a change in the counting day as it falls on Sunday, which is considered a sacred day in the Christian-majority state. The delegation had previously submitted representations to the Election Commission of India, requesting a change in the counting date to either December 4 or 5. Despite reminders, their request has not yet been granted.

In conclusion, the shooting of a Kuki-Zo youth in Manipur has sparked outrage and led to protests and a shutdown in the Kuki-Zo-majority Churachandpur district. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum has blamed Meitei militants for the attack and called for the removal of the BJP Chief Minister. The incident highlights the ongoing violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur, which has claimed numerous lives and displaced thousands of people. The situation remains tense, despite the presence of central security forces. Additionally, a delegation from Mizoram will be meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner to discuss the rescheduling of the counting day, which falls on a sacred day in the Christian-majority state..