CoTU reiterates demand for AFSPA in Manipur's valley after three killed
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, September 12 2023:
All efforts to prevail non-violence in the strife-torn Manipur continue to go in vain as three alleged Kuki village volunteers from Kangchup area in Kangpokpi district were killed this morning in an "ambush" by suspected valley based armed miscreants at around 8.30 am.
The incident occurred between Ireng Kom village and Kharam Vaiphei village in the Kangchup area when the trio who came in a Gypsy for medical treatment at Kangpokpi came under attack.
The trio who were shot dead on the spot have been identified as Satneo Tuboi and Ngamminlun Lhouvum of K Ponlen village, and Ngamminlun Kipgen of Lhangkichoi village, who is also the general secretary of Thadou Artiste Association.
Tension erupted in Kangpokpi district following the incident with all shops closed.
Thousands of people congregated at Gamgiphai to receive the dead bodies recovered by police and Assam Rifles personnel.
Satneo Tuboi is survived by his wife and five children including an infant while Ngamminlun Lhouvum has left behind his wife and three children.
A condolence service under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity, Sadar Hills Kangpokpi was held at Motbung Community Hall, where thousands across Kangpokpi mourned the dead of the trio while vehemently condemning the incident of the brutal killing.
Thadou Artiste Association also condoled the death of its general secretary, Ngamminlun Kipgen, and wrapped a traditional shawl over his remains as a mark of respect and adieu.
Members of various prominent civil society organizations and CoTU paid tribute to the departed souls and a minute silence was observed.
Ambulance siren was sounded to show respect to the departed souls by the CoTU's Medical Department.
At the "Martyr's Cemetery" at Phaijang village in Kangpokpi district, the Kuki-Zo volunteers paid a gun salute to the departed souls before a befitting burial was conducted.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity, while condemning the incident in the strongest term, reiterated its demand for the Armed Forces Special Power Act to be enforced in Manipur's valley.
CoTU's general secretary, Lamminlun Singsit said that the repeated attacks on the Kuki-Zo villages from the valley continue unabated as three alleged village volunteers of Kangchup area were killed this morning.
He said, "Such cold-blooded murder of the innocent Kuki-Zo village volunteers will not be tolerated and befitting action will be taken against stray Meitei terrorists trespassing into the Hills " .
"If the Union Home Ministry is sincere in its appeal for normalcy then it must immediately declare all valley districts as 'disturbed areas' under AFSPA failing which it will be considered as inaction from the Union Home Ministry to provide leeway for the "wiping out campaign" initiated by the State autocratic leadership and we will be left with no choice but to retaliate in full scale and might," he added.