4 Meetei villages, police posts burned down by Kuki militants
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 08 2024: In a sudden escalation of violence in the Borobekra sub-division of Jiribam district, Kuki militants and volunteers burned down all houses belonging to Meeteis and several police check posts on Saturday night.

The attack resulted in destruction of over 70 houses in Lamtai Khunnou, Loukoipung, Narayanpur, and Bhutankhal.

The Chotobekra police check post, Jiri Mukh police check post, and Jiri Mukh Forest beat office were also torched by the militants.

Local residents reported that elderly residents, women, and children from the affected Meetei villages had evacuated to Jiri town earlier in the day, fearing escalation of violence.

The Kuki militants began their attack with bombardments followed by setting the houses on fire after midnight.

The few villagers who remained behind fled during the offensive.

They were later safely rescued and brought out by police and Assam Rifles.

Videos of Kuki militants burning houses circulated on social media, further inflaming public sentiment.

Curfew remains in effect in the district, with security forces maintaining a close watch in Jiri town.

In response to the violence, five Meira Paibi Lups of Jiribam - AJMP, JIMPAL, JIMWAK, WASED, and WWOK - held a press meet to demand an explanation for the lack of security protection for Meetei villages, contrasting it with the substantial security presence guarding the Kuki villages.

The Meira Paibi leaders condemned the authorities for their inaction, particularly after a Meetei resident of Jiribam Khunnou was brutally beheaded.

Despite identifying the vehicle used by the perpetrators and its location, police did nothing, which escalated the situation.

The leaders urged Chief Minister N Biren to visit the district immediately to address the crisis.

The Meira Paibi leaders highlighted the stark disparity in security measures, noting that Assam Rifles and CRPF personnel are actively guarding Kuki properties while Meetei residents are left unprotected, forcing them to flee and leaving their homes vulnerable to attacks.

The leaders stressed that previous incidents of violence against Meeteis were contained by local people and organisations, but the current situation spiralled out of control due to the authorities' failure to apprehend the culprits.

The Development Committee Jiribam (DCJ), an apex organisation comprising All Jiribam United Clubs' Association (AJUCA), Apunba Jiribam Meira Paibi, AMAWOVA Jiribam branch, and MSF District Committee Jiribam, also demanded urgent intervention from Chief Minister N Biren.

During a press meet at the AJUCA office, DCJ convenor M Maipaksana emphasised that Jiribam had remained largely peaceful with only minor incidents since May last year.

However, the situation deteriorated sharply in June following the gruesome murder of a Meetei civilian, rendering the district unsafe for Meetei residents.

Maipaksana stated that the DCJ would submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the district administration, demanding the deployment of adequate security forces, both central and state, throughout the district.

They also called for immediate relief assistance for flood and storm-affected families and measures to safeguard the lives and properties of the public.

The current unrest underscores the urgent need for effective security measures and swift governmental action to restore peace and stability in Jiribam, he added.

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