Kuki militants fire upon Meitei devotees
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 28 2025: Kuki militants launched a brazen attack on a group of Meeteis performing rituals at Kongba Maru Laiphamlen under Sagolmang police station in Imphal East today, around 9.45 am.

This incident is particularly concerning, as it comes just a day after Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei group, surrendered hundreds of arms, and amidst the Government's ongoing peace initiative.

The attack is a clear disregard for the efforts to establish peace in the State.

Some parts of the sacred Kongba Maru Laiphamlen were also set ablaze by Kuki militants on July 6, 2023 .

In response to the attack, security forces launched a search operation at the site from where the militants had launched the attack.

There, however, is no report of any arrest.

Kuki militants fire upon Meitei devotees

Meanwhile, a group of locals, outraged by the attack, took to the streets and blocked the road in front of Ishika police outpost for a short while.

The temporary blockade was a manifestation of the public's frustration and anger against the incident, which disrupted the peaceful conduct of rituals.

Speaking to the media in this regard, Lai Committee members said that they, accompanied by Imphal East police and CRPF escorts, went to Kongba Maru Laimphamlen to perform rituals for Lamtagi Nongma Panba.

They went on to state that the escort team was led by Additional SP (Operation ) and Additional SP (Law and Order) .

Saying that Kuki militants suddenly opened fire, discharging around 10 rounds in their direction, they added that none were injured in the attack.

However, the unexpected attack did cause significant panic among the group, they added.

Continuing that the rituals were performed as planned with security cover, the Lai Committee members said that they, however, heard the armed Kukis shouting in abusive language towards them.

Condemning the fresh assault by Kuki militants, former Speaker and MLA of Khundrakpan AC Thokchom Lokeshwar has urged Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to initiate demolition of all Kuki bunkers in the surrounding hill range within 24 hours.

In a video message, the MLA, who is currently out of the State, said that one of his constituents sent him a video clip and informed him that Kuki militants from Mark hill range fired around 10 rounds upon Meitei devotees at Kongba Maru Laiphamlen today.

The shrine falls under the jurisdiction of Sagolmang Police Station in Khundrakpam AC.

Th Lokeshwar urged security forces to dismantle the bunkers of all Kuki militants atop the Mark hill range in the vicinity of Kongba Maru Laiphamlen and Sinam Khun within 24 hours and seize all arms and ammunition.

At a time when village volunteers in the valley, including Arambai Tenggol, have heeded the Governor's appeal to surrender weapons, inaction of the Governor in this connection will cause apprehension among the Meitei public who are like sitting ducks surrounded by hill ranges and vulnerable to future attacks, said the Khundrakpam AC MLA.

Stating that today's incident might bring unfortunate consequences if immediate actions are not taken, he urged the Governor to launch combing operations to arrest the Kuki militants.

This will restore people's faith in the Governor and also foster more cooperation from the public, he added.

He also called upon the Central Government to facilitate recovery of weapons from the hills as has been done in the valley.

Maintaining that only surrender of weapons is not enough without any assurance to stop the violence, he appealed Governor Bhalla to give assurance that village volunteers and residents in the vulnerable foothill areas as well as those in the hills will be provided adequate protection.

Further, he urged the Central Government to give equal treatment to both the hills and the valley and called for the identification and deportation of illegal migrants from the State.

Separately, the Kongba Maru Semgat Lup has condemned the gun attack and requested Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to take appropriate action and dismantle the bunkers of Kuki miscreants along Mark hill range and Wakan hill range.

During a press conference held at Manipur Press Club, Heikrujam Rajeshwar, executive member, Kongba Maru Semgat Lup, said that 16 executive members of the Lup along with SP (Ops), Sagolmang OC and CRPF personnel visited the Kongba Maru shrine to offer prayers after getting the necessary permission.

Around 9:15 am as the worship ceremony was about to begin, they heard a few rounds of shots being fired.

Assured of protection provided by the security personnel, the rituals continued but another 8 rounds were fired at the devotee, he said.

He questioned if only Meiteis come under the purview of the Governor's call to surrender arms as Kuki militants continue to wield their weapons and attack civilians.

He urged the Governor to provide adequate security at sacred shrines such as Kongba Maru, Thangjing, Koubru etc and allow devotees to freely offer prayers and perform religious rituals.

He also appealed for the implementation of NRC in Manipur.

Meanwhile, finance secretary Kangujam Rajen called for demolition of all Kuki bunkers atop the hill ranges within two days and seizure of all arms and ammunition.

Arambam Ningthemjao, leader of Kongba Maru Semgat Lup, appealed for protection from the concerned authority to ensure that religious rituals and worship ceremonies in the future can be carried out at such sacred sites without any hindrance.

Additionally, Ch Meghachandra, convenor, Peace and Integrity Committee, Kyamgei also condemned the incident and demanded immediate action from the Governor.

Terming the gun attack as a direct challenge to the Governor's efforts for peace, Ch Meghachandra urged him to initiate swift measures to allow the devotees to offer prayers without worry.

Both the Governor and the Indian Government should be held responsible if today's gun attack leads to more incidents of violence, he maintained.

The PICK convenor was speaking at the annual ceremony of Khagemba Macha Ebungo and Mapa Ebungo Mungyangamba organised by Khagemba Committee Kyamgei.