Imphal: One year after the violence in Churachandpur and Moreh, Jiribam has become the latest target of suspected Kuki militants. The mixed Jiribam district has been untouched by the yearlong violence in Manipur so far. But on June 5, a Meitei farmer was abducted and beheaded by suspected Kuki militants, and thereafter, the peaceful district was continuously burning. Jiribam has a mixed population of Naga, Meitei and Kuki Zo. The militants are targeting especially the Meitei villages in the district.
Armed militants have attacked numerous Hindu Meitei households, forcing residents to flee in fear for their lives. Hundreds of homes in various villages within the Jiribam district have been set ablaze.
Destruction in Lamtai Khunou
On June 7, Lamtai Khunou, a Meitei village in Jiribam, was completely burned down by Kuki-Zo militants. In response, security forces were swiftly deployed to the affected areas. A coordination committee comprising the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Force, and Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) has been established to enhance security measures.
Evacuations and Violence
Following the violent incidents in Churachandpur and Moreh, approximately 300 Meitei residents from Jiribam have been evacuated. The recent abduction and brutal beheading of a Meitei farmer by Kuki militants, along with widespread violence and arson, have contributed to the mass displacement. The evacuated villages are now at risk of being occupied by the militants.
Public Outrage and Security Response
The Meitei community has expressed significant outrage over the inability of security forces to protect the lives and properties of innocent villagers. Despite the violent upheaval over the past 48 hours, security forces have managed to neutralise or capture any of the Kuki militants.
Attacks on Police Outposts
On the night of June 7, multiple Manipur police outposts in Jiribam were attacked by suspected Kuki militants. According to a police officer stationed in the district, the militants arrived in 3-4 boats via the Barak River from the Chotobekra side. Several villages along the Barak River were assaulted by the insurgents, further escalating the crisis.
Dr. Bimol Akoijam, the newly elected Member of Parliament, has voiced deep concern over the surge in violence in Jiribam. He suggests that the unrest may be orchestrated by elements seeking to perpetuate the ongoing crisis in Manipur. In a press conference held at his residence, Dr. Akoijam emphasised the urgent need for effective measures to safeguard the lives and property of residents. The violence, which erupted shortly after the election results, has instilled widespread fear and uncertainty among the local population.
Meitei Heritage condemns brutal killing and attacking Meiteis in Jiribam, demands justice
Meitei Heritage expressed its deepest grief and outrage over the barbaric abduction and cold-blooded
beheading of a Meitei farmer Soibam Saratkumar Singh while returning from his farm on June 6, 2024 by
suspected Kuki militants and miscreants, and subsequent burning of Meiteis houses later in the night.
This heinous act is part of the ongoing engineered violence by separatists group to escalate the violence
and justify their illegitimate demands. In the press release issued by the Meitei Heritage, urges the security forces to launch a swift and decisive operation to hunt down the culprits behind this horrific crime.
The situation in Jiribam remains tense as security forces work to restore order and protect civilians. The recent attacks underscore the ongoing challenges in maintaining peace and stability in Manipur, necessitating coordinated efforts from security agencies and political leaders to address the root causes of the violence.
