Urgent Appeal for the Safe Release of the Abducted Meetei Families in Jiribam
- November 13th, 2024 : Global Manipuri Federation (GMF) -

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We, the Global Manipuri Federation (GMF), make this urgent appeal to the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of the Kuki-Zo communities, the state and central government authorities, to act immediately towards the safe release of the six family members of the Meeteis abducted by Kuki-Zo militants in Jakuradhor Karong, Borobekra, Jiribam.

The victims are innocent civilians including elderly women and young children namely Yurembam Rani Devi - 60 years old; one toddler Laishram Lamnganba - 10 months; Telem Thoibi - 31; Laishram Heitonbi - 25; and two children namely Laishram Chingheinganba - 2 and half years; and Telem Thajamanbi Devi - 8 years. Also the militants killed two elderly men namely Laishram Barel - 63 years and Maibam Keso – 71 years and inflicted serios injury to Pebam Rajkumar – 64 years on the 11 November incident in Modhupur which caused deep distress and significant fear among the local communities.

These individuals pose no threat to any groups, making their abduction rather displays a grave human rights violation.

This abduction is a distressing reminder of escalating violence and human rights violations in the region. It is difficult to overlook that amid the ongoing crisis in Manipur, there have been numerous human rights violations attributed to Kuki-Zo militants, including the enforced disappearance of the students feared to be murdered, whose bodies have yet to be found.

In recent months, such incidents have been intensified, targeting civilians and severely impacting farmers, especially during the peak harvest season in the valley of Manipur. Again, in a recent attack at Saiton, Kuki-Zo militants killed a woman farmer while she was working in the paddy field.

We further call upon both the state and central governments to redouble their efforts to secure the release of these abducted civilians and ensure the safety of all the residents in Jiribam. Despite the deployment of 60,000 armed forces in Manipur, the continuous violence raises critical questions about the effectiveness of current measures and the protection of civilian lives and properties. How do the militants operate so freely and repeatedly target civilians in the presence of such a heavy security deployment?

The last 18 months have witnessed an alarming failure of both the Central and State Governments in protecting life and security and in safeguarding the properties of the civilians in Manipur which shows a situation deeply troubling within a democratic nation. We do urge our Chief Minister to take immediate and effective action to ensure the safe return of the abducted women and children and to restore normalcy in Manipur.

Media Team, Global Manipur Federation,
(Representing Asia, Africa, America, Australia, Europe, Middle East and New Zealand)
Uniting Manipuris across the globe