Northeast Desk, 3rd November: The elected leaders representing the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar community have expressed their strong resentment towards the actions of the Manipur Police, particularly the atrocities committed by the commandos against innocent and vulnerable Kuki-Zomi-Hmar civilians in the Tengnoupal district.
In a press statement, the tribal legislators stated- “We would like to highlight the continuing excesses and atrocities perpetrated by the state forces against our people in Moreh and other places in Tengnoupal district based on ground reports. That on November 1, 2023, Sinam Kuki Village in Tengnoupal district was attacked and houses and properties/ vehicles destroyed by the Manipur Police commandos.”
Furthermore, the legislators alleged that ongoing operations in Moreh involved arson, indiscriminate gunfire, the looting of civilian properties, vehicles, and household belongings, including valuable ornaments, documents, gold, cash, and unprovoked acts of brutality, which forced ordinary people, including women and children, to seek refuge in the nearby jungle.
The press release also noted, “Several women have been mercilessly assaulted/molested by the commandos and admitted in the local hospital.”
While recognizing the challenges faced by the state police in apprehending wrongdoers, the Kuki legislators emphasized that the police cannot ignore the unchecked illegal and barbaric activities of the commandos and state police personnel.
“The lack of faith that our people have in the state forces stemmed from the innumerable instances of their direct involvement in attacking Kuki- Zomi-Hmar villages during the current conflict,” reads the statement from the Kuki MLAs.
Moreover, the MLAs expressed deep concern and apprehension regarding the deployment of Manipur Police Commandos, both at various forums, including the central government, and requested their non-deployment in the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar dominated districts of Manipur. They appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to deploy neutral forces in Moreh and also urged for action to be taken against state police officers who were found at fault.
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