Kuki bodies denounce accusation in Naransena attack
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, April 27 2024: The Kuki civil bodies including Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) have vehemently denounced finger-pointing from certain media outlets including reputable ones towards the Kuki community for attack on Central security forces at Naransena in the wee hours of Saturday.

In a strongly worded statement, KIM termed the brutal assault on 1RB (India Reserve Battalion) camp at Naranseina in Bishnupur district resulting in the loss of two CRPF personnel and injuries to some others on Saturday as disturbing and condemnable.

While strongly denouncing such acts of terrorism targeting the Central Security Forces who work tirelessly to protect the people, KIM stated that these actions displayed a flagrant disregard for law and order.

The attack was likely orchestrated by Meetei armed groups to deflect blame and tarnish the Kuki community's reputation, KIM said, adding that media outlets must adhere to journalistic principles by refraining from speculative reporting and instead conduct thorough investigations before publishing.

Rushing to assign blame without evidence not only misleads the public but also fuels discord, KIM stated.

Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills also said that depiction of the attack on CRPF personnel by Kuki-Zo militants in Naranseina by national television channels like India Today, News X and other reputable media platforms was misinformed and deeply regrettable.

It also said that the officer in charge of Moirang PS, Bishnupur district, must be held accountable for filing baseless FIRs against the Kuki-Zo, abusing official capacity to persecute them.

CoTU then urged national media to verify their sources and refrain from biased reporting.

Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) also strongly denounced the assault in Kuki-Zo area and refuted media reports implicating Kuki militants in the attack while cautioning against relying solely on information from Manipur police.

It urged the media to seek balanced perspectives before endorsing any biased narrative.

ITLF also extended its deepest condolences to the families of the two slain CRPF personnel.

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