Protests held across Thoubal over alleged attack on returning IDPs
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, December 18 2025: Condemning the alleged firing and bombing attack carried out by Kuki militants on returning Meitei internally displaced persons (IDPs) on the evening of December 16, protest demonstrations were held various locations across Thoubal district on Wednesday.

The protesters demanded that the President's Rule (PR) Government take appropriate action against those involved in the incident.

At Wangjing Bazar, the Wangjing-Lamding Bazar Development Shopkeeper Association in collaboration with Lamding Apunba Meira Paibi, Wangjing New Market Development Committee and Wangjing-Lamding Bazar Shop and Small Vendors Welfare Committee, organised a sit-in protest suspending their day's business activities.

The demonstrators strongly condemned the alleged attack, stating that it was aimed at sabotaging the ongoing reconciliation process.

Speaking to the media, Arambam Bedana, vice-president of Wangjiing-Lamding Bazar Shop and Small Vendors Association questioned the motive of the PR Government, alleging that it remained a mute spectator when Kuki militants allegedly launched firing and bombing attacks targeting IDPs at Torbung Bangla and Phougakchao.

Bedana further questioned whether the imposition of President's Rule applied only to the valley areas and not to the hill areas.

She alleged that when the IDPs democratically staged protests, security forces resorted to tear gas and gun fire, risking casualties under the pretext of PR, while no action was taken when Kuki militants attacked civilians.

Terming the situation highly condemnable, she demanded accountability and clarification from the authorities.

She warned that if such aggression continued, the people of the State, including mothers, would rise in protest, and there would be no reason to rule out the recurrence of another Nupi-Lan-like uprising.

A protester and IDP, Leishangthem Tamem stated that since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, many IDPs had taken shelter in relief camps across the valley districts in the hope of safety.

However, she alleged that the Government had gradually neglected their plight, adding to their suffering.

She also questioned why the PR Government failed to act against Kuki militants and allowed attacks on civilians.

The sit in protest was also attended by IDPs from the Wangjing Kodompokpi and Lamding Higher Secondary School relief camps, along with members of various clubs from the Lamding and Wangjing areas.

Meanwhile, a joint sit-in protest was organised at Thoubal Melaground byThoubal Ema Keithel Mathak Makha, Thoubal District Apunba Emasing, Leishangthem Khongmanung Meira Paibi, Athokpam Meira Paibi Lup (AMPAL) and Thoudam Maning Leikai Irong Leima Panthoibi.

The protesters partially blocked the road while condemning the alleged firing and bombing attack carried out by armed Kuki militants at Torbung on December 16 and demanded immediate action by the PR Government.

Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, Okram Manorama Devi, secretary of Universal Mothers Organisation (UMO), Thoubal, alleged that while the PR Government continued to claim restoration of peace and normalcy, it had frequently arrested Meitei youths on various charges, however when suffering IDPs began returning to their homes and were allegedly targeted by Kuki militants, the Government's failure to act was unfortunate and heartbreaking.

Manorama urged the Government to take an equal and impartial approach towards both communities, arres those responsible for the attacks and recover illegal arms.

She warned that failure to do so would lead to continued and intensified forms of agitation.

During the protest, demonstrations displayed placards bearing slogans such as "We condemn the actions of narco-terrorists", "Why is the PR Government a mute spectator?, "Are Kukis above the law?", "IDPs are human too", "If the PR Government cannot protect IDPs and Meiteis, let us protect ourselves", among others.

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