Threat, demand force non-Kukis to flee Motbung
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 31 2023:
Though the on-going crisis in the state is consid-ered primarily between the Meetei and Kuki communi-ties, the non-tribal people are also not spared from the violence particularly from the Kuki militants.
According to informed sources, on May 14 to 18, Kuki militants carried out a 'demand' drive to non-tribal shopkeepers in Motbung area under Kangpokpi district, demanding Rs 50,000 from each shopkeeper in view of their (Kuki militants) de-pleting food stock, arms and ammunition or face the consequences.
After much pleading, the shopkeepers coughed up Rs 40,000 each, which was accepted by the militants.
However, much to the non- tribals' dismay, the militants continued to harass people not belonging to the Kuki tribe.
Those from the Nepali community are being particularly used as a transport mule, in order to avoid being detected, to ferry the food items including rice, vegetables and other essen-tials to specified locations.
The non-tribal residents of the area were also ordered to keep their livestock fenced at all times, failing which the animals would either be killed or taken away by the militants for consumption.
The sources continued that the Kuki militants were not locals of the area.
The mil-itants further ordered the remaining non-tribal pop-ulation to only converse in Kuki language/dialect.
Speaking in Manipuri (Meiteilon), Hindi or Nepali languages is strictly prohibited.
The blatant display of firearms and random firing in the area are deeply affecting the kids.
In addition, the non-tribals were warned to leave the area to prevent any unwanted incidents from happening upon them.
As such, many of the shopkeepers have fled the area to ImphZ, while others have left the state altogether in fear, with their parting words being that they will never return to Manipur, the sources conveyed.
When contacted, a police officer said reports of non-Kuki people fleeing Motbung have been received though there is no formal complaint lodged to the police station concerned on the matter till date.