Northeast Desk, 7th September: In a press release dated September 7, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) claimed that “Meitei militants” launched a series of attacks on Kuki-Zo areas over the past two days, allegedly to divert attention from leaked audio tapes involving Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
According to ITLF, a gunfight erupted near Muolsang and Laika villages in Churachandpur at around 4:30 a.m. on September 6. The release claims that security forces dismantled Kuki-Zo bunkers at Muolsang, which were later occupied by Meitei forces. Meitei militants reportedly fired bombs at Khousabung and Muolngat villages, and an elderly man was killed in Moirang under suspicious circumstances. ITLF alleges that a video was circulated falsely attributing the man’s death to a bomb.
The press release further claims that UNLF cadres were seen torturing a Kuki-Zo village volunteer and posing with the bodies of three Kuki-Zo volunteers in a viral photo. The incident reportedly occurred in Nungsekpi, Jiribam.
In response to the escalating violence, the Manipur Police reported that suspected Kuki militants deployed long-range rockets in two locations of Bishnupur district on September 6. The attacks resulted in the death of a senior citizen and injuries to six other civilians. Police and additional security forces have been deployed to conduct combing operations and dismantle bunkers in the affected areas.
An FIR was filed against Ginza Vualzong, Media and Publicity Secretary of ITLF, under multiple sections of the BNS Act. The complaint, registered on September 4, 2024, accuses Vualzong of inciting violence and unrest between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, disseminating provocative materials, and obtaining foreign funding for ITLF activities. Vualzong has denied the allegations, asserting that the accusations are part of an attempt to discredit him during the conflict.
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