Imphal: In the aftermath of gunning down of sub-divisional police officer Chingtham Anand Kumar at Manipur’s Moreh by suspected Kuki miscreants, tension gripped the border town with Chin-Kuki-Zo community alleging atrocities against them by the state security forces.
The 10 Chin-Kuki-Zo MLAs, who have been in self-exile due to concerns over Manipur’s potential disintegration along ethnic lines, have accused the state forces of excessive violence against their community during search operations.
The MLAs alleged that Manipur police commandos committed atrocities in Sinam Kuki Village, attacking Kuki houses and properties, a claim contradicted by the police, who deny the occurrence of such acts.
At least 3 police personnel were injured when they were ambushed at Sinam village by well-armed suspected Chin-Kuki-Zo militants when they were rushed in as reinforcement after the killing of the SDPO in Moreh, led by an Inspector General of Police, Themthing Ngashangva.
The MLAs further alleged that State forces during search operations at the international border town of Moreh, resorted to arson, indiscriminate firing, looting of civilian properties, and unprovoked brutality, including assaulting women, forcing common people, including women and children to flee into the nearby jungle.
Rejecting the allegations, a senior paramilitary officer, who took part in the joint operation, on the condition of anonymity, stated that no such incidents took place, and explained that the troopers are equipped with video cameras, which would have recorded any wrongful actions during the operations.
The accusations made by the MLAs come amidst ongoing search operations that started on Nov 1st, following the SDPO’s killing on Oct 31st.
The joint forces have apprehended at least 32 illegal Myanmarese immigrants and recovered arms and war-like stores, further uncovering landmines and bomb traps along routes to designated camps of the Chin-Kuki-Zo who are under the Suspension of Operation agreement with the government of India and Manipur. The camps are significantly found desert.
The ongoing ethnic tensions between the Chin-Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities have resulted in past violent episodes, leading to the displacement of Meiteis from the border town of Moreh and even rendering the international commercial town inaccessible due to protests and demonstrations.
Since fleeing of the Meitei residents of Moreh, the Chin-Kuki-Zo civil bodies and womenfolk have been campaigning against deployment of state forces in Moreh and other areas dominated by their communities in line with their demand for separation administration, a demand in unison with that of the 10 Chin-Kuki-Zo MLAs.
