Condemnations pour in over Phubala attack
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 20 2025:
The attack on a farmer working in his field at Singeirok Loukol along the High Canal west of Phubala in Bishnupur district on June 19 continues to draw strong condemnation from various organisations.
Voicing vehement condemnation over the attack, All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has placed responsibility squarely on the government, citing suspicions of collusion between security forces and militants.
In a release, AMUCO suspected collusion between the SSB posted in the area and the perpetrators, considering the attack occurred at the valley area and close to the SSB bunker.
Demanding enquiry into the SSB unit and strict legal actions, he said: "If the government is unable to apprehend the attackers, it can be only assumed that the attack was carried out or directed by the security forces" .
Accusing the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of creating chaos in the name of restoring normalcy in Manipur, AMUCO said that the President's Rule imposed since February 13 has been ineffective and cited the Gwaltabi incident on May 20 wherein the Mahar Regiment made journalists conceal "Manipur" on an MST bus.
"While this is one the many severe incidents Manipur has suffered after merging with India, another serious crime is the attack on an innocent farmer on June 19 .
It is questionable how the armed attackers were able to come and return with their weapons undetected by the SSB, who had a bunker in the area, and other central security forces with camps in the area," it contended.
According to AMUCO, the repeated acts of the Government of India and the imposition of the President's Rule are leaving the indigenous people, who want nothing but protection of the territorial integrity of Manipur, restless and frustrated.
As a result, they are compelled to agitate and do all that is necessary to save their motherland.
Questioning what has the Governor done over the past four months to restore peace in Manipur, AMUCO noted that Manipur has seen more acts of unrest than peace within this period.
"As such, one cannot help but suspect if the law and order situation is being continuously made problematic so to ensure continuity of the seat of power".
Further questioning what effective advice the security advisor had given till date to end the conflict in the state, AMUCO mentioned that since the arrival of the security advisor, many more have died or gone missing, many other left injured and criminal activities on the rise.
"Instead of trying to hold on to the power, it would be better for the Governor and security advisor to end the conflict as soon as possible and do good works, which would be good for their careers and remembered by the people of Manipur for a long time".
Raising serious concerns over the attack in Phubala, AMUCO appealed to the people for exposing the hypocrisy of the government and central security forces to the world.
Federation of Civil Society Organisation (FOCS) also strongly condemned the attack on the farmer, terming it as an attack on the country's economy.
In a release, FOCS Information & Public Relations secretary Nerish Mangang stated that the state government should be solely responsible for the attack, explaining that the farmers of Pukhao in Imphal East district also unable to farm on their own land despite security forces deployed.
"This is a clear attack on the Meeteis," it declared.
FOCS continued that while the government's act of having the two sides surrender their weapons as part of resolving the two-year long conflict, the action seems to be applied only in the valley areas, with the Chin-Ku-ki-Zo areas remaining unrestrained.
"What is unfortunate is that the SSB and other central forces deployed close to the attacked area in Phubala did not counter the armed attackers in a timely manner, which is highly suspicious.
Thus, if the government does not take any action against the attackers, the people are likely to agitate against the government," it cautioned.
"Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy.
Any attack on the farmers is an attack to the country's economy," it stated, and demanded strict military action against the armed attackers.
Meanwhile, eight clubs in Lamlai AC held a public meeting at Napet Palli Youth Club on Thursday and strongly condemned the Phubala incident.
The clubs including Youth Paradise Club Gwaltabi, NPYC Napetpalli, YDC Thamnapokpi, YSC Lousangkhong, UPC Telou, SS Sabungkhok Khunou, YPF Yaingangpokpi and Sanasabi Youth Club adopted several resolutions including demands for immediate arrest of the attackers involved in Leitanpoki and Phubala incidents, and punishing them as per the law of the land.
It further urged authorities concerned to prevent a repeat of similar incidents in the future.
The clubs also urged for additional security for the farmers of Lamlai as the constituency is encircled by Kuki villages.
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